Global premiere of two concept SUVs, Maruti XA Alpha and Ford EcoSport happened simultaneously at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Both sub 4 metre SUVs, they were designed to target the same set of buyers – young go-getters from urban India. Ford EcoSport has managed to do that, ever since it was launched in 2013, but Maruti XA Alpha has not, because it is yet to be launched.
In its final stages of testing, the launch of Maruti XA Alpha has been delayed by atleast 1 year, if not more. There were many car buyers who have been waiting for the launch of this compact SUV, a first from Maruti Suzuki. Finally, Earlier this year, Maruti officials did confirm that the XA Alpha will be launched before March 2016.
Here, spied undisgused, which the folks at GaadiWaadi say is the production ready form of the XA Alpha aka YBA aka Vitara Brezza (XA Alpha was the name of the concept, YBA is the internal codename, while Vitara Brezza is the rumoured official name when the SUV is launched).
Compared to what we saw at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, this looks a rather dull design. It looks more like a raised hatchback, with wider stance. The puny tyres and window frame similar to Swift, fail to highlight the fact that this is an SUV.
Exteriors feature body coloured ORVMs, chrome grille (very much like the XA Alpha), smoked treatment to headlamps, chrome encasing for foglights, body coloured door handles and bumpers. To be offered in a choice of petrol and diesel engine options, the report reveals that it will get a tweaked K14B petrol 1.4l engine, to delvier 95 PS power and 130 Nm torque.
Also See – Suzuki iM-4, a compact SUV for Europe
The 1.0l petrol BoosterJET, which is expected to debut on board the YRA premium hatchback, could also be on offer – to rival EcoSport 1.0l EcoBoost variant. Diesel engine will be in the form of a retuned 1.3l DDiS from Fiat. Price range is to be in the Rs 5.5 – 8 lakh bracket.
