The success of Renault Duster has started up an all new segment in the Indian market- the compact SUV segment. But despite being a Compact SUV, it measures more than 4 meters and does not really qualify for an excise duty benefits of a small car. However, the recently launched Mahindra Quanto is a proper Compact SUV which has a length of under 4 meters and the price at which it was launched, made it a runaway success. With the Compact SUV segment heating up, how could India’s number 1 carmaker, Maruti Suzuki be left behind.
Maruti Suzuki has been the unrivalled king of almost all the segments having cars priced below Rs.9 lakhs. They did not manage any success with the SX4, but recently launched Maruti Ertiga has more than made up for that. Coming to the Compact SUV segment, the concept car, Maruti XA-Alpha, first showcased at Indian Auto Expo in 2012 generated quite a lot of interest and we have for you something more if you were interested in the concept car then.
The Maruti Suzuki XA-Alpha concept is expected to hit the production in 2014-15 and expect the production version to be showcased at the Auto Expos in 2014. The car will be under 4 meters in length and will qualify for the lucrative excise duty cut that the Indian government has been offering for the smaller cars. It will be placed at almost the same price of the Ertiga but we believe it might undercut the Ertiga’s price because Ertiga is a genuine 7-seater and is more than 4 meters in length.
EXCLUSIVE: Maruti XA-Alpha Walk Around Video:
The SUV will be powered by the made-for-India 1.4 litre petrol engine offered in Ertiga or the 1.2 litre K-series engine on offer in their premium hatchbacks and a 1.3 litre Fiat Multijet diesel. The car has been built from the scratch, and being a Maruti Suzuki will be preferred by many over the offerings from the Americans. Expect it to be priced at a price of over Rs.60,000-70,000 over the Swift. The car managed quite a lot of hype when first showcased, the point is if it will live up to the hype when it hits the roads.
More Pictures:
via- ICB
