Maruti Suzuki will replace the current S-Cross with an all new SUV – Made in association with Toyota
Since the start of their global partnership, Suzuki and Toyota have been using each other’s products and technology to maximize benefits via economies of scale. In India, we have already seen the launch of the Toyota Glanza which is a rebadged Baleno and the upcoming launch of Toyota Urban Cruiser (based upon the Vitara Brezza) will also be on similar lines.
In international markets too, both the companies have been working in tandem to dish out more products. The Japanese OEMs have been using the concept of Badge Engineering which was popularized by the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Suzuki A-Cross
Recently, Suzuki had announced its all new product for European market, the A Cross. The A Cross happens to be essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid. Reports suggest that Toyota is contemplating on bringing in its new DNGA to India. DNGA stands for Daihatsu New Global Architecture.
DNGA is technically a cost-effective iteration of the globally proven TNGA, which stands for Toyota New Global Architecture. Toyota currently sells the Raize SUV in Japan and some South Asian markets which is also based upon the same platform. Latest reports further suggest that thanks to their international partnership, Suzuki is now planning to bring in the same platform to India with a Suzuki badging though.
Suzuki B-Cross
Digital rendering specialist, Kleber Silva has imagined the Toyota Raize with Suzuki branding. He has baptized this model as Suzuki B-Cross. The B-Cross looks almost identical to the Raize, save for the Suzuki badgings across the body. While there is no confirmation if Suzuki will be bringing a similar product to India, since it already has the Vitara Brezza which competes in the same sub 4 metre category.
Maruti S-Cross Replacement
However, what looks more plausible and likely is a new mid-sized SUV from Maruti which could borrow its architecture from DNGA/TNGA. This new SUV would most likely measure around 4.3 metres in length and directly compete with the likes of Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster.
Powertrain options for this new SUV could include a new turbocharged 1.2 litre petrol motor and a 1.5 litre diesel engine. Transmission options too should include both auto and manual options as this new SUV would be competing with some heavily loaded rivals.
If launched, this new mid-sized SUV would become Maruti Suzuki’s latest flagship SUV; replacing the existing (and ageing) S-Cross. Pricing of the S-Cross replacement SUV should be aggressive, as is the case with most Maruti Suzuki models. Considering the competition and the segment, Maruti would want to sell around 5-8K units of the SUV per month.
