Maruti Suzuki is betting big on its upcoming utility and crossover vehicles to further strengthen its dominance in the Indian car market. The company will launch the S-Cross SX4 crossover in January next year, while the sub-compact SUV will come in first quarter, 2016. Interestingly, Suzuki is also working on a sub-compact MUV to be slotted below the Ertiga MPV. Maruti is currently in talks with vendors and suppliers for sourcing components of the MUV. The vehicle is likely to go on sale in the festive season of 2016. The company is targeting to sell over 80,000 units in the first year.
If media reports are to be believed, the seven-seater Multi-Purpose vehicle would be based on the Suzuki Karium WagonR 7-seater MPV concept shown back in Indonesia. It is basically the extended version of the Wagon R hatchback with a third row seats to accommodate two adults. Adding to it, the sub-compact SUV would feature better styling than the regular hatchback version.
Set to rival the Datsun Go+ MPV which is scheduled to go on sale early next year, the seven-seater MPV might be powered by the 1.2-litre K Series petrol engine that also powers the Swift and Ritz hatchbacks. This engine is likely to be fitted to the AMT gearbox. The company might also introduce the diesel version of the MPV in the market.
