India’s two major car manufacturers, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai confirmed that they will expand their SUV product portfolio in coming years. While both companies remain tight-lipped about their upcoming new SUVs, rumours are on rife it will be three-row family vehicles.
The Indo-Japanese carmaker is working on a range of new SUVs including the new-generation Vitara Brezza, Baleno-based crossover and a mid-size SUV (with Toyota). The carmaker is also reported to bring in the 3/5-door Jimny compact off-road SUV.
If reports are to be believed, Maruti Suzuki might introduce a new 7-seater SUV (codenamed – YFG) based on Suzuki’s Global C-platform that also underpins the globally sold Vitara. Its production-ready model could be named ‘Maruti Grand Vitara’. The new SUV is estimated to cost Rs 10 lakh onwards and will be positioned against the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and the upcoming Hyundai Alcazar and new-generation Mahindra XUV500. As of now, design and feature details of the new Maruti 7-seater SUV are not available.
Hyundai Motor India is preparing to launch the Creta-based 7-seater SUV – Hyundai Alcazar. It’s scheduled to debut on 6th April, followed by its launch in May 2021. Rumour has it that the South Korean carmaker might introduce the flagship Hyundai Palisade SUV to challenge MG Gloster, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.
The SUV measures 4980mm in length, 1975mm in width and 1750mm in height respectively. The SUV, which is already on sale in North American markets, is being offered with 7 and 8-seats configurations.
Globally, the Hyundai Palisade is available with a 2.2L, 4-cylinder CRDi turbocharged diesel engine that’s good enough for 197bh and 440Nm of torque. Transmission duties are done by an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It comes with FWD and AWD options and offers 4 driving modes, namely, Eco, Comfort, Smart and Sport. There are three terrain modes as well – Sand, Mud and Snow.
