One such example is the Renault Triber which has been posting decent sales since its launch. Even though it might be too early but Triber’s sales do suggest that there are potential customers looking for a low-cost MPV which can double up as a spacious city-car. Naturally, country’s largest automaker cannot afford to miss out on such budding segments and that is essentially why rumors of a 7-seater WagonR are ripe.
While there is no official confirmation from Maruti if it will be bringing in a Wagon-R based 7-seater, SRK designs has digitally rendered how a 7-seater WagonR could look like. If Maruti does bring in a larger Wagon-R, it might stretch its wheelbase a little and increase the rear-overhang to accommodate the third-row of seats. Addition of some creature comfort features is also expected.
The car could also be designed while keeping exports as a viable option. India’s neighbouring countries like Indonesia and Thailand are big MPV markets and Suzuki might want to use its production capacity in India to export the car to other South-East Asian countries.
In the rendering video, the designer has decided to add in roof-rails and black plastic cladding to give the car a more MPV’ish stance. However, he has decided to keep the wheel-base unchanged. While the actual 7-seater WagonR might still be some good 1–1.5 years away, what can be confirmed is that Maruti will be bringing in a more premium version of the WagonR soon.
Test mule of what looks like an XL5 was spotted earlier in Gurgaon. The XL5 will be a premium variant of the WagonR and it will be retailed via Maruti’s Nexa channel. For easier understanding, we can state that Maruti would be applying the same formula to WagonR which it had earlier tried with the XL6 and Ertiga. Speculation suggests that this new avatar of WagonR might be unveiled at the upcoming 2020 Auto Expo. Pricing could take a minor bump, considering the additional features the car will have.
Reports also suggest that the XL5 will only be sold as a pure electric variant. It will be Maruti’s first all electric car, which will be retailed via Nexa dealers. More details about the same will be revealed in the coming days. Expect the car to debut at the 2020 Auto Expo next month.
