The Suzuki Solio is currently on sale in the Japanese market. There have been numerous sightings of the completely undisguised test mule of this vehicle in India. Is it the new Wagon R 7-seater or just here for components testing?
Maruti Suzuki is currently working on a 7-seater version of its popular compact hatchback Wagon R for India. Recent developments suggest that this budget MPV is set to go into production by the end of this year. Consequently, we are expecting it to launch in our country by the first quarter of 2019. So far there is no official word from the manufacturer on this. However, recently, there have been a number of sightings of the Suzuki Solio in India. There are speculations that this vehicle, which is currently on sale in the Japanese market, could launch in India disguised as the Wagon R 7-Seater. Curtsey Mr Sulab Puri, some new and clear images of this vehicle have once again come to light. That said, the vehicle seen in these images is completely undisguised, which could mean that Maruti could just be simply component-testing with this vehicle.
According to recent media reports, it is likely that Maruti is going to introduce a 7-seater version of the Wagon R in India soon. It could be that this particular vehicle is going to be the Suzuki Solio. That said, the 7-seater MPV that Maruti will launch will be in the entry-level segment. While the version of the Solio which is on sale in Japan and the one seen in the spy images is a premium vehicle.
Related News: 2018 Maruti Wagon R Price, Launch Date, Images, Features And Specs- Complete Details
In the international spec version, the Suzuki Solio comes with a hybrid petrol engine. At the same time, it comes with features like a touchscreen infotainment system and automatic climate control. These couple of things, make the Solio quite irrelevant for the budget MPV segment in India. If Maruti decides to launch the Solio in India, it will, in its current specifications, will take up its place just where the Maruti Ertiga is. Mind you, Maruti already has the next-generation version of the Ertiga in the pipeline. We expect the 2018 Ertiga to launch in India sometime during the month of August this year.
Related News: Maruti Wagon R 7-Seater India Launch, Price, Features, Mileage And Other Details
However, the automaker may decide to launch a considerably downsized version of the Solio in India. In order to make it the right product for budget MPV segment in India.
In the Japanese market, the Suzuki Solio comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine. This is the same unit which does its duty on the Indian spec 2018 Maruti Swift. However, the Solio gets a hybrid powertrain, unlike the Indian Swift. This engine produces 91 BHP of power along with 118 Nm of peak torque. It comes with a 5-speed AMT gearbox.
Suzuki Solio India Spy Images
For more information on the Wagon R 7-seater and the Suzuki Solio, stay tuned to Car Blog India.
