There are whispers in media circles of a Maruti SUV on show at the Delhi Auto Expo next year. Like the R3, the junior SUV could debut in concept form and take shape into a charming crossover SUV in the next two years, ready for the 2014 Auto Expo.
A segment in its own, this vehicle is said to have certain capabilities of a grown up SUV besides the handling of a Swift.
Shoeb studied these speculative media reports and did some guess work. He feels that the junior SUV can be built using Swift parts. Coming to the vehicle, the high ground clearance gifts it with the ability to negotiate any terrain. The flared wheel arches and upgraded tires add extra oomph to its masculine looks. Higher variants could be equipped with a 4X4 to make it a somewhat civilized Gypsy.
Since most Maruti vehicles are exported, we expect lots of safety features and driving aids on the top-end version. The 1.3 Multijet is the logical choice and Maruti could look at the 1.6-liter petrol engine on the SX4 for equipping the export model.
For the Indian market, the 4X2 version missing some of that equipment will find many buyers. Design language is same as on the new Suzuki models.
