Seeing the growing demand for utility vehicles, automakers are aggressively working on new products to expand their SUV product range. Not just SUVs, brands are also eyeing MPV segment to further boost their presence in the utility vehicle segment. Brands like Ford Motor Company, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors and MG Motors are readying their respective MPVs for the Indian market.
Ford MPV
Ford-Mahindra JV is readying an all-new mid-sized MPV, which will be based on the Marazzo’s platform. However, this MPV will have all-new design and interior inspired by the global Ford products. The vehicle will also receive Ford SYNC infotainment system and will offer multiple seating options. The new Ford MPV will be built alongside the Marazzo at Mahindra’s plant in Nashik.
The new MPV will be more powerful than the Mahindra Marazzo. Interestingly, the Ford MPV will be powered by Mahindra’s bigger and more powerful 2.2-litre mHawk turbocharged diesel engine that also powers the Thar. While powering the Thar, this engine produces 132bhp and 320Nm of torque. For people not in the know, the Marazzo gets a 1.5-litre diesel engine offering 121bhp and 300Nm.
Hyundai Compact MPV
Buoyed by excellent response for new Creta and the Venue compact SUV, Hyundai is now readying two new 7-seater cars for the Indian market. The brand will introduce a 7-seater Creta and an all-new compact SUV. The new compact MPV will be positioned against the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. It was speculated that Hyundai could utilise the Venue’s platform and engine specs for the upcoming MPV. However, we believe that the new Creta’s platform will be more suitable for the 7-seater MPV. The new-gen Creta is based on the new platform that is compatible enough to accommodate 7-seater SUVs or MPVs.
Expected to be priced around Rs 9 lakh and Rs 14 lakh, the new MPV will also challenge the Mahindra Marazzo. It is expected to be offered with 2 engine options – a 113bhp, 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and a 113bhp, 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be on offer.
Kia MPV
Hyundai’s sister brand, Kia Motors will also enter into the mid-sized MPV segment. The new model will be based on the new Seltos platform, which also underpins the new Creta. Kia officials said that the upcoming compact MPV will offer ‘adequate space’ for seven occupants and will come with an affordable price tag. While there is no official word on its launch timeline, media reports suggest that Kia’s new compact SUV might hit roads as early as by the end of 2021.
The carmaker’s Anantapur based facility in Andhra Pradesh is likely to serve as production hub for the new MPV. Similar to the Hyundai’s MPV, the upcoming Kia compact MPV will be offered with two engine options – a 113bhp, 1.5L naturally-aspirated petrol and a 113bhp, 1.5L turbocharged diesel. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be on offer.
Tata MPV
Tata Motors is readying to launch a wide range of new products for the Indian market. If reports are to be believed, the company will introduce 12 to 14 new models based on the ALFA and OMEGA platforms. The upcoming products will include the all-new mini SUV, a SUV Coupe, a mid-size sedan, a mid-size SUV and all-new MPV along with Gravitas 7-seater SUV, new Harrier and the new-generation models of Nexon, Tigor and Tiago.
The new Tata MPV will be designed on the OMEGA platform that also underpins the Harrier SUV. Set to replace the Tata Hexa, the new model will be positioned against the Mahindra Marazzo and the Toyota Innova Crysta. Currently, the carmaker offers 2.0L Multijet diesel engine on its Omega architecture based vehicles. Though, the company is also working on a larger capacity 1.5L petrol engine.
MG Motors’s mid-sized MPV
MG Motors had showcased two new MPVs – the G10 and 360M at the 2020 Auto Expo. The G10 MPV will be positioned against the Kia Carnival, while the MG 360M will rival the Maruti Ertiga and the Mahindra Marazzo. The MG G10 is essentially the rebadged version of the Maxus G10 that recently received a mid-life update in the Chinese market. It will be offered with 8-seats layout along with the 7-seats and 9-seats configurations.
The MG G10 will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces 168bhp and 350Nm of torque. The MPV is also available with the updated 2.0L turbo petrol powertrain that’s good for 224bhp and 350Nm. It can be had either with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The MG 360M is basically the re-badged Baojun 360, which is currently on sale in the Chinese market. The MPV will receive comprehensive changes before launching in the Indian market. In terms of proportions, the MG 360M is 4,615mm long, 1,735mm wide and 1,660mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,750mm. It is around 220mm longer than the Ertiga MPV. The 360M is a 6-seater MPV with captain seats for the second row. Powering the 360M 7-seater MPV is a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to a CVT automatic gearbox. This engine is capable of producing a maximum power output of 103PS and a peak torque of 135Nm.
Maruti Suzuki-Toyota MPV
The Toyota-Suzuki JV is also readying an all-new mid-sized MPV, which will be positioned between the Ertiga and the Innova Crysta. The new MPV will be introduced in the second half of 2021. It is rumoured to be based on the front-wheel-drive monocoque platform, which is likely to be the Raize’s platform (Daihatsu New Global Platform). It is expected that the new model will source the engine options with Maruti Suzuki. Indo-Japanese brand is readying a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which could power the upcoming mid-sized SUV and the MPV. The C-segment MPV could also use the 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine with mild-hybrid system.
