CARVERSAL

The Maruti Suzuki will introduce a new model in its MPV class on July 5th of, 2023. The MPV is likely to be called “Engage”. It will be a collaboration between Maruti and Toyota. It will be a cousin to the grossing Innova Hycross MPV. However, still, it will have distinguishing elements that will set it apart, just like what Maruti did with their collaborated Baleno.

External And Internal Design Cues: Front Grille Design Leaked

Knowing the relationship between Maruti and Toyota, their shared models always have distinguishing external features that set them apart. The Engage will also follow the same tradition. Recently design patents of the Engage were leaked, which showed us the new grille of the SUV. The patents hinted the design to have a honeycomb mesh pattern with chrome trim and two horizontal chrome bars running through the center of the grille, acting as a bridge between the two headlights. Lastly, it will also have an obvious Suzuki logo at the center of the grille.

The front bumper’s design will also be tweaked. It is expected to have a prominent lip with a faux brushed aluminum finish to make it look like a splitter. At the back, the MPV will have minor tweaks in its rear bumper and will also feature Maruti’s signature ‘three dots’ LED DRL system taillights, as seen in their Baleno and Grand Vitara. Other than that, the bodywork of the MPV remains the same as its sibling, the Toyota Innova Hycross.

The Interior will also feature rebadging and trims that will be suited according to the Maruti products. The key interior highlights of the Engage can feature include ventilated leather seats, powered Ottoman seats with long slides, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment, and a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. The MPV will also feature an ADAS suite and a 360 surround camera.

Performance And Specifications

While it is not sure that the Engage will focus on its hybrid powertrain, we can still expect the same engines featured in the Toyota Innova Hycross, such as the 2.0L petrol that makes 173 horsepower and 209 Nm of torque mated to a CVT automatic and the 2.0L petrol hybrid that makes 183 horsepower and 188 Nm of torque mated to an e-drive with sequential shift. The hybrid powertrains are equipped with a 168-cell Ni-MH battery. Regarding its platform, the MPV will sit on a TNGA-C architecture.

Conclusion

Since the Toyota and Maruti collaboration in 2017, Maruti-built vehicles have been cross badged and sold as Toyota ones, such as the Vitara Brezza, the Urban Cruiser, and the Baleno resold as Glanza. In some countries like South Africa and the Middle East, the Ciaz, Ertiga, and Celerio are being sold as Toyota models.

The Upcoming MPV will be the first Toyota product to be rebadged as a Maruti one. It will be built in Toyota’s Bidadi plant and supplied to Maruti. As for its production, the Hycross is currently on long waiting periods, and due to the high demands the recent booking is being paused, so production is likely to be delayed for the Engage.