Road ahead for 2020 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki's favourite SUV has a wonderful connection with Auto Expos. Vitara Brezza stormed into the scene at the 2016 edition, and notched several awards in years that followed. The diesel-only Vitara Brezza came as a comprehensive package in terms of value-for-money and led from the front in the compact SUV segment.
Over the years, however, the market dynamics have changed, especially with rivals encashing on petrol-powered offerings in the segment.At the Auto Expo 2020, Vitara Brezza came to a full circle with the facelift attaining the much-awaited BS-VI-complaint petrol unit.
"Keeping up with its strong, urban and premium appeal, the all-new Vitara Brezza is bolder, sportier and more powerful. We are confident that all-new Vitara Brezza too will continue the legacy with overwhelming customer response," Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, told reporters at the Auto Expo.

Vitara Brezza is in fact among the last few in Maruti's shelter to take the BS-VI leap. Along with Vitara Brezza, S-Cross is also set to get the petrol version in the next couple of weeks. The market leaders have been wary of turning their back on diesel engines. "We have the optimism to recover what we are losing in diesel through this increase in petrol. We have a double task. It is not like comparing the current portfolio with next year, it is like the current portfolio minus diesel in next year," Maruti Suzuki India executive director (marketing and sales) Shashank Srivastava told PTI.

Making the intentions clear, Maruti will supply its top-selling SUV with 1.5-litre K-series petrol engine tuned to deliver 105PS and 138Nm while being paired with a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic unit. Similar to the XL6, the engine will also come with a mild hybrid system. More importantly, Vitara Brezza’s existing 1.3-litre DDIS motor nearing its retirement. In this case, Maruti's decision for embracing one version over another is no less than a double-edged sword. In less than four years of its launch, the Vitara Brezza had sold over five lakh units.
Engine aside, the carmakers have gone for minor reinforcements inside-out for Vitara Brezza. Now you would notice a revised grille, new set of LED head and tail lamps, dual-tone alloys and revised bumpers. While the silhouette doesn't witness changes in a bundle, the three new dual-tone paint jobs do render a dash of youthful character.
The list of features interiors will juggle among the four trims: LXI, VXI, ZXI and ZXI+. Smartplay Studio infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, steering-mounted audio keys, climate control, MID, keyless entry with push-button start are however expected to remain standard across the trims.
With the launch lurking around the corner, Maruti Suzuki stares at endless possibilities in terms of pricing and acceptance of its tried and tested workhorse in its latest iteration. The new Vitara Brezza, expected to come at Rs 7.50 lakh - 10.5 lakh (ex-showroom), will take on the likes of Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport.