Two new Maruti SUVs by 2016

Maruti plans to launch two new SUVs in the next two years. We recently revealed that the S-Cross will be coming in January 2015 and now reports suggest that the second SUV from Maruti’s stable will be the XA Alpha. Maruti first showcased the XA Alpha concept at the Auto Expo in 2012. Since then, there hasn’t been much news on this compact SUV but expect it to be a sub-4 metre EcoSport-esque car with a choice of 1.2-litre petrol K-series engine and 1.3-litre Fiat sourced Multijet diesel engine. 

Maruti doesn’t have much presence in the SUV market since the Gypsy and the Grand Vitara are petrol only models, the former now made to order and the later is a drop in the ocean for the carmaker. The S-Cross and the XA Alpha will change that for Maruti with their diesel engines and affordable price points.

The SX4 S-Cross, based on the Suzuki S4 platform is already on sale in Europe and USA for a while now and has seen moderate success with its no-nonsense appeal. But with a Maruti badge, the S-Cross will have wider appeal and better acceptance. The S-Cross takes on the likes of the Renault Duster and the Ford Ecosport and will employ a similar front wheel drive formula as the latter. Both SX4 S-Cross and the XA Alpha should co-exist in the same segment with their different body styles, like the Ritz and the Swift in the hatchback segment.

Both cars should most likely share the same engines and gearboxes as well. Maruti will be studying the success of the AWD Duster closely and if there is enough demand for it, might offer the XA Alpha with an all wheel drive version in the future as well.