Maruti Suzuki had displayed the XA-Alpha SUV concept at the previous Auto Expo in 2012 but the company did not bring the iV-4 Concept or the XA-Alpha production model to the 2014 Auto Expo. Surprising as many people were claiming the iV-4 will be showcased at the biennial event. It is simple to conclude that many design elements of the iV-4 are shared with the XA-Alpha. In fact it looks like the new iV-4 is a bigger version of the XA-Alpha concept. However the iV-4 is for the European market while the XA-Alpha is for emerging markets.
The Suzuki iV-4 concept looks very futuristic with its grille, bonnet, sleek mirrors and the overall body line. The vehicle was showcased earlier at multiple international motor shows so bringing it to India wasn’t a tough task at all. However Maruti Suzuki doesn’t want to send the wrong message to prospective buyers. The company was on schedule to launch the XA Alpha last year but due to multiple glitches with the prototype, the automaker will only be able to launch the compact SUV next year.
The iV-4 isn’t coming to India anytime soon. The XA-Alpha will instead provide some tough competition to other vehicles in the segment like the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Ford EcoSport. Maruti will position the XA-Alpha as a slightly premium offering and hence it will be loaded with features and won’t be bare basic. If the XA-Alpha does come out at a reasonable price, its competitors will have to be seriously worried because Maruti’s sales and after-sales network is unmatchable whereas other manufacturers are lagging behind in this department.
Maruti Suzuki is giving its new vehicles modern design touches that appeal to more number of buyers, but somehow these styling elements disappear once the car goes into production. Expect the XA-Alpha to look nothing like what it does currently as most of the appealing bits will sober down massively when the car goes on sale. The SX4 S-Cross will be launched prior to the XA Alpha, thereby pushing the latter to a higher price point. Maruti Suzuki showcased the SX4 S-Cross at the 2014 Auto Expo and their exhibit at this year’s motor show was very disappointing.
