Maruti Invicto to get hybrid engine option only
Maruti Suzuki has officially announced the opening of bookings for its highly anticipated Invicto MPV. The company has set a booking amount of Rs 25,000/- and the launch of the Invicto is scheduled for 5th July. It is a rebadged version of Toyota Innova HyCross and is set to be a premium offering in Maruti’s lineup.
While the Toyota Innova HyCross offers customers a choice between two powertrain options, Maruti Suzuki has decided to exclusively accept bookings for the petrol-hybrid variant of the Invicto. This means that the Invicto will not be equipped with the 172 HP, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine option available in the Innova HyCross.
Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava had previously hinted at the company’s decision to source the hybrid powertrain from Toyota. Bhargava described the Invicto as a “strong hybrid, three-row, top-of-the-line kind of vehicle in terms of price” and emphasised its carbon-friendly hybrid technology. While the volume of sales is not expected to be very large, the Invicto is seen as a path-breaking vehicle for Maruti Suzuki.
Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director at Maruti Suzuki, has also reiterated the premium positioning of the Invicto in recent media interactions. He mentioned that the MPV will be priced above Rs. 20 lakhs and further emphasised the use of the strong-hybrid powertrain.
In comparison, the Innova HyCross petrol is priced between Rs. 18.55 lakhs and Rs. 19.45 lakhs (ex-showroom). Maruti Suzuki could have potentially priced the Invicto below Rs. 20 lakhs if it had offered the non-hybrid engine option for certain trims.
The Invicto will be manufactured at Toyota’s Bidadi plant alongside the Innova HyCross, similar to how Toyota produces the Grand Vitara and Hyryder simultaneously. With Kia discontinuing the Carnival MPV, the Invicto will face direct competition from its sibling, the Innova HyCross. Although pricing details are yet to be revealed, the HyCross hybrid range is priced between Rs. 25.03 lakhs and Rs. 29.99 lakhs (ex-showroom).