Maruti Suzuki has already revealed its plan to expand its SUV product portfolio in coming years. The 16th Edition of the Delhi Auto Expo that’s slated to begin tomorrow (11th January) will witness three SUV unveilings from the Indo-Japanese automaker. The range will include a sub-4 metre Coupe SUV (Baleno Cross), 5-door Jimny and an electric SUV. Furthermore, the carmaker will bring in a new, three-row SUV in India by 2025. According to a fresh media report, the new Maruti 7-seater SUV will be based on the Grand Vitara that’s available within the price range of Rs 10.45 lakh – 19.49 lakh (all, ex-showroom).
Codenamed Maruti Y17, the new Maruti 7-seater SUV will underpin the same Global C platform. Though, its wheelbase will be longer than its 5-seater sibling that will help it accommodate an extra row of seat and offer more cabin space. Design and styling of the Maruti’s three-row SUV will be slightly different from the Grand Vitara. The report further states that the model might share its powertrains with its 5-seater donor sibling.
The Maruti Grand Vitara comes with the 1.5L K15C petrol engine boosted with the mild hybrid technology. The motor pushes out a peak power of 103bhp and can be had with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox. The top-end mild hybrid manual variants get AWD system. It’s claimed to deliver fuel economy of 21.11kmpl (MT), 19.38kmpl (AT) and 20.58kmpl (AT). The SUV is also available with Toyota-sourced 92bhp, 1.5L Atkinson cycle petrol engine coupled to an electric motor (79bhp/141Nm). Its combined power output stands at 115bhp. The unit is paired to an e-CVT transmission and promises a mileage of 27.97kmpl.
The new Maruti 7-seater SUV will be manufactured at the company’s new Kharkhoda plant in Haryana. It could be the first Maruti Suzuki to be produced at mass level in this facility. For construction and commissioning of the Kharkhoda plant, the carmaker plans to invest over Rs 7,000 crore during fiscal year 2023. When fully operation, the facility is likely to produce 2,50,000 units on annual basis. Being a flagship SUV, the new Maruti 7-seater SUV will be the most expensive model in the company Indian product lineup. Once launched, it will take on the cars like Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700.
