Maruti It has always been known for making small cars. However, in recent years the company has increased its focus on manufacturing premium cars. The company now wants to expand its SUV portfolio. According to industry sources, Maruti is working on a seven-seat version of the Grand Vitara, codenamed Y17. The first glimpse of this prototype was seen during the road trial. Might be possible. Although the test mule is completely under wraps, some elements suggest that it is a derivative of the Grand Vitara.
Maruti Grand Vitara 7-Seater
Maruti’s new SUV is clearly inspired by the Grand Vitara with the door contours, window line and mirror placement, a closer look reveals a longer rear end. This suggests that Maruti is adding a third row of seats, possibly necessitating a longer wheelbase to accommodate the extra space. The new SUV displays a unique design language, which resembles the upcoming Evitara, which was recently showcased at the EICMA 2024. The front fascia is particularly attractive, with three-dot LED DRLs located above the main headlamps, which are integrated into the bumper. The bumper itself has a bold, sculpted design with a central air intake similar to that of the Evitara. The rear is equally impressive, with sleek, full-width LED taillights.
The interior will be completely different from Vitara
A brief glimpse of the cabin reveals that the interior will be similar to the existing 5-seater Grand Vitara. It features a large vertical free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, which will be underlined by chrome-embellished air-con vents within an entirely new dashboard layout. The 7-seat model of the Grand Vitara will be built on the Global C platform. The new SUV will likely have 1.5-litre naturally aspirated and 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid engine options.
Expected to be launched by the end of the year
This SUV will be manufactured at Maruti’s upcoming Kharkhoda plant in Haryana. The production of this SUV is expected to start in mid-2025, so it is expected to be launched in the market by the end of the year. The Y17 will compete directly with other mid-size seven-seat SUVs like the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari and the MG Hector Plus. No information has been received regarding the price yet. However, less is expected from Alcazar.
