Vitara & i30 are not coming to India, Solio is not the new Wagon R - IAB Debunks

15/08/2018 - 17:17 ,  ,   Anjan Ravi

In this story, IndianAutosBlog dismisses incorrect facts and rumours and instead presents information from reliable sources.

1. Suzuki Solio is the new Wagon R for India

Suzuki Solio rear three quarters spy shot
The Solio is based on the more expensive Heartect platform and is designed only for the Japanese market.

Sightings of the Suzuki Solio on Indian roads has led rumours to it being the new 2019 Wagon R, or a 7-seat version of the new Wagon R. However, the Suzuki Solio is a JDM-only model and is based off the more expensive Heartect platform. The 2019 Wagon R for India will not use the Heartect platform in the interest of costs, with the current frame reinforced to meet new safety norms. The Solio spied in India is likely testing components or powertrains for future products. This joins the list of false rumours which stated that the Suzuki Cervo will be launched in India and that the Alto will get a 660 cc engine.

2. Current gen Suzuki Vitara coming to India

2016 Suzuki Vitara front three quarters at Auto China 2016
The Vitara is four years old, and Maruti would do well not to place its bets on it as its Creta challenger.

The Vitara spied in India is also testing merely components or powertrains. Maruti Suzuki has no plans to launch the 4-year old SUV in a market with fresh products like the Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass and upcoming Tata Harrier in the landscape. The Creta, even when it was relatively new in 2016, brought in about INR 10,000 crores in revenue for Hyundai India. Maruti knows the size and profitability of this segment well enough to not introduce a stripped-out 4-year old model, and has the financial and technological muscle to develop a unique product. For now, Maruti will focus on launching a crossover based on the 2018 Ertiga in this space.

3. Hyundai i30 is launching in India

Hyundai i30 spied in India rear
The i30 is being used to test BS6 engines by Hyundai and is too pricey for the hatchback segment.

The Hyundai i30 test mule spotted in India, you guessed it, is testing BS6 engines and Hyundai has no plans to bring the premium hatchback to our shores. The Korean major understands that SUVs are the need of the hour, and is focused on the QXi (codename of the sub-4 meter SUV), a micro SUV to rival the Maruti Ignis and Mahindra KUV100, and the next-gen Creta which is expected in an added 7-seat configuration. The only hatchbacks Hyundai will do are the Hyundai AH2 (Hyundai Santro mini) and successors for the Grand i10 and i20 which are expected in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

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