True to the expectations, the first event at the Auto Expo 2016 saw Maruti Suzuki unveiling its first sub-four-metre SUV, the Vitara Brezza, just moments ago. The Brezza is powered by the same tried-and-tested, Fiat-sourced, 1.3-litre diesel engine that also does duty in almost its complete diesel car lineup. However, confirming our exclusive scoop is the announcement of the Brezza using the more powerful 90 PS (at 4,000 rpm) / 200 Nm (at 1,750 rpm) tune. The car will compete head on with Ford EcoSport.and to a certain extent with the Mahindra TUV 300. A petrol option will be added in future.
Maruti claims that Vitara Brezza has been conceptualized, designed, and developed in India and the company has achieved a localisation level of 98 per cent! According to the company, for the first time in segment, customers will get to enjoy ‘custom car experience straight from the showroom’.
Essentially, they are referring to the jazzy theme-based colour options –Glamour, Urban, and Sporty– that they hope will ‘match the personality of the customer’. Dual colour schemes, where the roof is painted in a contrasting colour, is definitely a segment first but that, we believe, was done to incite some flashiness to an otherwise generic design.
A pat on the company’s back to offer driver airbag as standard, while also making passenger airbag, EBD, and ABS optional right from the base variant! Fantastic job Maruti! The company also claims that the Brezza meets offset and side impact crash tests that will come into force in India in 2017. The SUV is 3,995 mm long, with a wheelbase measuring 2,500 mm. It’s 1,790 mm wide; 1,640 mm tall, while the boot space on offer is 328 litres. Brezza rides on 215/60 R16 tyres (most probably for the higher trims, lower variants may get 15 inchers) and has a minimum ground clearance is 198 mm.
Maruti hasn’t provided a launch date yet and all they have said is, “launch likely in few weeks” and hence we expect it to be in the showrooms either by next month or latest by April.
Complete coverage of Auto Expo 2016
It may be worth the wait if the prices start at INR 6.5 lakh…
