Details of Maruti XA Alpha based SUV emerge

The Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha concept was a crowd puller when it was unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi, and now the closer to production version of the sub-4metre SUV appears to be quite a showstopper itself.

To keep a check on price, the YBA is said to be based on the existing Maruti Suzuki Swift platform and would qualify for the sub-4 metre excise benefit, helping it to be priced between Rs 5 lakh to 8 lakh. The new Maruti SUV will be launched in the beginning of 2016 and is expected to be unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo.

Going by the rendering image based on the spy pictures of the new Maruti compact SUV (code named as the Maruti YBA), it would sport a robust and beefy body styling as seen on the Maruti XA Alpha concept. The front has a chunky grille design with a prominent Suzuki badge in the centre. The sleek headlights are complimented by LED daytime running lights and a set of fog lamps. 

The side profile is similar to the XA Alpha, except the roofline which does not drop as drastically as on the concept car to accommodate better headroom for rear passengers in the production version. Also, the wheels appear to be 15-inch which are practical due to their higher profile, with five-twin-spoke alloys.

The Maruti YBA SUV will have good ground clearance and is expected to be more spacious than the Ford EcoSport. The cabin design could be similar to the Maruti Suzuki Swift and would have features like a Bluetooth-enabled music system, multifunctional steering wheel, electrically adjustable and folding wing mirrors, reverse parking sensors. Safety features such as ABS, EBD and front airbags could also be part of the optional features list.

Maruti will offer the new compact SUV in both petrol and diesel engine options and in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants. The Maruti YBA will be the company’s second product in the compact SUV space, after the Maruti SX4 S-Cross which is scheduled to be launched in 2015.

Image: GaadiWaadi