Maruti Suzuki Tries to Reap the Boom in SUV Market with XA Alpha

The XA Alpha concept Sports Utility Vehicle was introduced by India’s leading car maker Maruti Suzuki during the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo held in January. With this vehicle, the company will step into the realm of SUVs for the first time and aim to capture this booming market with the final development version of the model. When launched, it will come with petrol as well as diesel engine options at a cost of less than Rs.10 lacs in the local market. The ‘X’ in the name of the car represents the crossover, ‘A’ means that it is an entry level model and ‘Alpha’ marks trendiness.

This concept car represents the manufacturer’s endeavour to enter new verticals and has been appreciated by enthusiasts. It will be positioned as a compact SUV in India at the time of its launch, which is expected to be around middle or end of the year 2013. The concept version showcased at the Auto Expo took 10 months to develop, with 5 Maruti engineers working in collaboration with Suzuki engineers to create the company’s first SUV from the scratch. At present, no concrete details are available about Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha

Engines & Specifications of Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha

Since the Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha is currently at the development stage, there are no clarifications regarding its configurations. In terms of engine, it is speculated that the model will have a K-series engine that will power the petrol variants, whereas a 1.3 L DDiS unit will be used to run the diesel variants. The power and torque generation capacities of the motors assimilated in the car are unknown at present.

Performance of Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha

Considering that XA Alpha will be Maruti Suzuki’s first entry in the SUV segment, it will try to prove its capabilities as a Utility Vehicle maker. It is anticipated that the car will deliver figures like mileage of 8-10 kmpl and top speed of 180 kmph on highways, though there are no confirmations. The 2WD and 4WD driving options will assist those who want to use this upcoming SUV on the roughest of terrains as well as busy city roads.

Exterior, Interior & Safety Features of Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha

The striking feature about the XA Alpha concept model is its appearance, which is centred on a monocoque frame. The model showcased at the unveiling event at the Auto Expo was Lava Red in colour and stood just 4 m in length. It is expected that the car will be 1.9 m wide and 1.6 m high, with a wheelbase of 2.5 m. The exteriors of the car are quite impressive, with well defined bonnet lines and an aggressive five apex grille, where the Suzuki badge is placed. The side and rear profiles of the car also exude brawn, which will assist the car in dominating the roads when launched.

The car has been designed on the platform of the hugely popular Swift, which is known for its spacious and comfortable interiors. Thus, buyers can expect many passenger comfort and convenience features in the XA Alpha, such as AC with climate control, power windows, remote fuel filler and music system. Electric door mirror on both sides, rear armrest with cup holders, leather seats, remote boot, rear defogger, foldable rear seats, steering mounting controls and sun roof can also be expected in the car. The safety features of the car will include 2 airbags, parking sensors, fog lamp and 3 rear seatbelts. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) will also be present in the model at the time of its launch.

Maruti Alpha in General:

·        

Make    Maruti Suzuki

·         Model  XA Alpha

·         Fuel Types      Petrol

·         Price    Below Rs. 10 lakhs

·         Key Specifications - K-series petrol engine, DDiS diesel engine, ABS, EDB, 2 airbags