The alliance between two of the largest Japanese automakers in India, namely Suzuki and Toyota, has given birth to a few badge-engineered Toyota models such as the Toyota Glanza and Urban Cruiser, which were primarily Suzuki products, namely the Baleno and Vitara Brezza. The first generation of badge-engineered models came with minor changes to the grille and replaced the badging, but the new generation is far more distinctive in terms of looks as we saw in the new Glanza.
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In other markets, Suzuki even remarkets Toyota models, for example, Toyota’s RAV-4 is sold as Suzuki’s A-Cross. Now in India, Toyota has been spotted testing the Innova Hycross, which will replace the popular Innova Crysta. It is highly likely that Maruti may launch its own version of the Innova Hycross. This will be the first time that a Toyota product will be sold under the Suzuki brand in the country. The new Innova Hicross and its Suzuki counterpart will be based on Toyota’s TNGA-C architecture with styling differences in bumpers, headlights, taillights, front grille, and alloy wheels expected to follow the respective brands’ design languages.
As we saw in the Hyryder-Grand Vitara duo, the differences in the interior may be limited to some differences in the shade and trim of the upholstery. Both the MPVs are expected to come with a fully digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, a sunroof, multiple USB outlets, wireless charging, a soft-touch dashboard, an electronic parking brake, and LED headlamps in the higher variants. Will be full. Powering both the MPVs will be a set of naturally aspirated and powerful hybrid petrol engines. The hybrid unit is expected to be a 2.0-liter unit paired with an electric motor. Being a hybrid powertrain, MPVs will likely only have an automatic transmission option. Power will be sent to the front wheels unlike the current Innova which is rear-wheel drive only. With the launch of the Innova Hycross expected early next year, Suzuki may launch its iteration a few months later through its premium Nexa dealership network.