At least in its test mule avatar, the Maruti WagonR 7-seater seems to have a hugely impractical third row
Maruti Suzuki continues to be the most successful Indian passenger vehicle brand even amid the COVID-19 crisis. For BS6 era, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has chosen a petrol-only business strategy. Products that were previously available only in BS4 1.3-litre MJD diesel format come with a BS6 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine now. Furthermore, the Indian automaker plans to expand its CNG portfolio.
It was only recently that Maruti Suzuki crossed a new milestone by achieving a sales figure of two million CNG and mild-hybrid units, combined. Meanwhile, Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Sales & Marketing) at MSIL, shared that the company sees no potential in introducing a diesel model in the present scenario — read more details.
Maruti Suzuki plans a gradual entry in India’s budding EV segment as well. An all-electric ‘XL5’ version of the WagonR would be the first one to come since test mules of the same were spotted on multiple occasions. However, it seems that Maruti Suzuki is also working on a longer three-row variant of the tallboy hatchback.
Abhinav Bhatt has shared a POV video of the upcoming Maruti Suzuki WagonR ‘extended version’ on his YouTube channel. The test mule was doing rounds on the Gurgaon-Delhi Expressway. Interestingly, Suzuki Indonesia had showcased the previous-gen WagonR as a 7-seater concept back in 2013.
Maruti WagonR 7-seater Design
Upon first glance, it looks almost identical to the Maruti WagonR EV model discussed above. But the proportions are noticeably longer despite sporting a familiar silhouette. At least in this stage of development, the WagonR 7-seater has a hugely impractical or cramped third row. On the other hand, Renault India has already showcased how to achieve the best packaging for a three-row vehicle spanning under four metres in length, with its Triber mini-MPV.
It is very difficult to make out the 7-seater WagonR’s design details under all the camouflage. Highlights should include LED projector headlamps, revised front styling, climate control, reasonably sized touchscreen, 15-inch alloy wheels (test mule borrows them from the Ignis hatchback) and a few more bits to justify a higher price tag by more than just increased size and space.
Maruti WagonR 7-seater Specs
Powering the Maruti Suzuki WagonR 7-seater would be a 1.2-litre K12M four-cylinder NA petrol engine making 82bhp @ 6,000rpm and 113Nm @ 4,200rpm. Transmission choices would most likely include a 5-speed and its AMT counterpart.
Maruti Suzuki is working on quite a few products on the affordable side but has backed off from launching the highly awaited Suzuki Jimny three-door subcompact offroader. Apparently, it cannot generate typical Maruti-level sales numbers being a fun and capable product rather than a regular off-the-mill five-door crossover (or raised hatchback with bulkier fenders).
