Team-BHP > The Indian Car Scene


Reply
  Search this Thread
6,609 views
Old 1st June 2016, 08:50   #1
//M
Distinguished - BHPian
 
//M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 6,174
Thanked: 22,815 Times
Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Maruti S-cross all-wheel drive being tested in India, as reported by Autocar India.

The article doesn't mentions anything concrete but it is based on speculations. But since S-Cross is a slow selling model, Maruti could very well spruce up the image of the vehicle by giving it a facelift (which is already in the cards as per reports and scoop pics) and an All Wheel Drive version.

Also, with the NGT banning 2000cc and above diesels, the AWD versions of Duster and S-Cross can make their mark in the niche soft-roading segment.


Source: ACI

Quote:
The S-cross AllGrip was first spotted last year at the Raid de Himalaya and quite recently at the Desert Storm. For those unaware of these events, Raid de Himalaya and Desert storm are two of the most challenging off-track motorsport events held in India and Maruti is one of the official partners for both these events. Maruti’s factory-backed team drives the Grand Vitara at these events and so far they have been very successful.

Our sources tell us that despite this, Maruti sees little benefit from racing a vehicle that is not on sale in India. Hence, the carmaker intends to race the S-cross and thus add to its brand image and leverage some of this in the sale of the model. Given the fact that the S-cross is struggling against its more traditional SUV competitors, the racing and sport image of the crossover could help its case.
Attached Thumbnails
Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India-0_468_700_http172.17.115.18082extraimages20160531025637_pg25-_dsc0476x.jpg  

//M is offline   (7) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 10:03   #2
BHPian
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DELHI
Posts: 668
Thanked: 381 Times
re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

This might be done with an eye on the Ignis; which is supposed to have an AWD version as well.
BUXX is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 12:55   #3
Team-BHP Support
 
CrAzY dRiVeR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bangalore / TVM
Posts: 17,129
Thanked: 73,300 Times
re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Quote:
Originally Posted by BUXX View Post
This might be done with an eye on the Ignis; which is supposed to have an AWD version as well.
Or to protect S-Cross from cannibalization against the upcoming Vitara which is rumoured to be going the NEXA route as well. Vitara has a lot of similarities with the super successful Brezza and goes directly against the S-Cross in pricing, hence AWD could be a minor differentiator for S-Cross.

Would it work? Dont think so. But 1.6 DDiS S-Cross with AllGrip would be one fantastic car to own!
CrAzY dRiVeR is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 12:59   #4
Senior - BHPian
 
Rahulkool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,386
Thanked: 1,416 Times
re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

The AWD option should have been given from beginning in 1.6 variant of the S cross. The absurdly higher 1.6 pricing would have made sense with AWD. Hope that AWD will not be priced too high.
Rahulkool is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 13:03   #5
BANNED
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chennai
Posts: 3,282
Thanked: 4,876 Times
re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
Or to protect S-Cross from cannibalization against the upcoming Vitara which is rumoured to be going the NEXA route as well. Vitara has a lot of similarities with the super successful Brezza and goes directly against the S-Cross in pricing, hence AWD could be a minor differentiator for S-Cross.

Would it work? Dont think so. But 1.6 DDiS S-Cross with AllGrip would be one fantastic car to own!
IMO, they have to retain SCross with the 1.3LDDiS and a Petrol engine, for people looking for a no-nonsense car with understated looks in the 7L - 10L segment.

Launch the international Vitara in the regular and AWD versions in Petrol and Diesel, in the range 8L - 14L to compete with Creta.

And a 4.5m long Grand Brezza 7-seater 1.6DDiS in the 8 - 12L range to take on the Crysta.

Last edited by romeomidhun : 1st June 2016 at 13:13.
romeomidhun is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 13:08   #6
AWD
BHPian
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Drivers seat
Posts: 846
Thanked: 368 Times
Re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Should be a good option & go head on against the Duster, but they need a take a cue from Dusters pricing also. Now also start testing an Automatic Diesel & take on both Duster & Creta. A facelift with awd will be a welcome move.
AWD is offline  
Old 1st June 2016, 13:12   #7
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,340
Thanked: 298,752 Times
Re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Naah, I don't think Maruti has any intention of launching an AWD S-Cross in India. The system won't be localised as volume / demand for AWDs is too low and thus, the pricing will be exorbitant. Except for a small number of enthusiasts, no one would buy it.

If Maruti is indeed testing the S-Cross AWD, I think it'll be for motorsports only (fine-tuning the system).

What Maruti should do instead is plan an S-Cross petrol. That will definitely bring a sales improvement.

Quote:
Our sources tell us that despite this, Maruti sees little benefit from racing a vehicle that is not on sale in India.
Wrong. The S-Cross is on sale. AWD aside, to the common man, it's the same S-Cross being used for motorsport!
GTO is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 13:21   #8
Team-BHP Support
 
tsk1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 23,717
Thanked: 22,769 Times
Re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Nope. Its not for launch. I was there, it was for desert Storm. Tough to do a desert rally with just a 2WD you see! And with a good chance of winning, its great publicity. Maruti S-Cross wins desert storm. But did it win? I don't know!
tsk1979 is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 1st June 2016, 13:25   #9
Senior - BHPian
 
phamilyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 5,968
Thanked: 4,635 Times
Re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

This rumor is beyond my comprehension.

Dear Maruti - here's a hint, if people are buying Creta in droves and the S-cross is languishing, its NOT for want of AWD on S-Cross. Its because the aam aadmi finds it a hatchback and however mature it may be, they will choose the SUVish feeling Creta anyday with an excellent engine and kit at a higher price band.

Even the Brezza outsold S-Cross 3:1 (Creta was 3.5:1) - clearly if the vehicle doesn't look and feel the way the buyer expects it to be, then no amount of features will work.

PS: Even my non-autophile sister said the Ecosport and Duster felt like a true SUV unlike the BRV. Guess what she thought of the S-Cross? *cough*
phamilyman is offline   (5) Thanks
Old 2nd June 2016, 07:45   #10
BHPian
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 417
Thanked: 1,034 Times
Re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

There is only ONE s cross 4 wheel drive that maruti has in the country, and it is pictured above

The 1st competitive outing was in feb 16 for the 1st India Baja , this car has been prepared by a very close friend , who also builds the other MS rally cars.

Has its issues , and a significant amount were ironed out by the desert storm , which led to the car finishing the event.

MS has no plans of introducing the vehicle in India - They just want a current production vehicle to be seen in their events - The 2 surviving GV"s are carrying the flag at the moment.

Significant limitations are their with this chassis for Indian cross country events , and till the rules and formats are amended , it has faint chances of being a serious competitor
wbd8779 is online now   (2) Thanks
Old 2nd June 2016, 12:44   #11
Distinguished - BHPian
 
4x4addict's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chennai
Posts: 4,483
Thanked: 4,521 Times
Infractions: 0/1 (5)
Re: Rumour: Maruti testing the S-Cross AWD in India

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rahulkool View Post
The AWD option should have been given from beginning in 1.6 variant of the S cross.
Agreed. If they had launched in the beginning, there would have been some sort of differentiating factor for the S-Cross. Right now, it is just another also ran in the sea of crowded soft-roaders that have mushroomed in India.

As GTO said, I think they are just planning some vehicle for motocross or "Raid De Himalaya". I too doubht, they will launch it in India.
4x4addict is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks