Spied - Maruti Wagon R's premium cousin Solio seen leaving home

There are many cars that are being tested in China, most of which are somewhat relevant to India.

Majority of the test cars were sedans and SUVs, for Chinese love big cars. In what is becoming a rare spotting, a small car from an overseas manufacturer was caught testing in China. It is the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Suzuki Solio, the Wagon R's rich cousin. The Solio's life all these years was restricted to the Japanese market.

In a rare global appearance, Suzuki Solio visited Delhi Expo 2012 to understand what Indians think about it. The tall boy has a slightly longer wheelbase than the Wagon R and the design, both inside and outside, feel more premium and has an air of a mini MPV.

There are media reports that Suzuki is planning to stretch the Solio a little and add an additional row of seats. The mentioned variant of Solio is said to be having an eye on emerging markets. The test mule caught in China could be the three row version, although it is not certain.

If the reports are to be believed, the Solio could be the brand's first sub-4 metre MPV. Isn't that a lucrative proposition as far as India is concerned?

The JDM spec Solio turns its wheels using a 1,242 cc petrol engine which is good for 90 bhp. The car is available with CVT transmission. If the Solio comes to India, the 1.2 litre K-Series will almost certainly be in charge.

Given the fact that the car shares majority of its components with the Wagon R, manufacturing the Solio (along with a three row variant) in India makes sense.

Will you take a serious look at the Solio if Maruti launched it here?

[Source: Auto.sohu.com]