MARUTI SUZUKI ERTIGA

Bigger and more upmarket than before, the second-generation Ertiga promises to take the MPV game up a notch. The new Ertiga is also based on Suzuki’s lightweight Heartect platform. This means it has a more rigid and stronger underbody to help comply with the new crash-test norms that will soon be introduced in India. The new MPV is also larger than the outgoing one, which means there’s an increase in the third-row legroom and space, and it’ll get new features, too. As for the engines, the Ertiga will get a bigger,1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech that produces 105hp, which should help it perform better with a full load of passengers and luggage on board. Maruti will also stick with the 90hp, 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine for the time being.

Coming: November 21, 2018
Engines: 1.5P, 1.3D
Price: Rs 6.5-10.99 lakh

RENAULT SUB-4M MPV

Set to launch in 2019 is Renault’s new budget seven-seat MPV. Codenamed ‘RBC’, this small people-carrier will sit well below the Lodgy in the line-up thanks to the lower sub-four-metre taxation policy.

Underpinning the new model will be Renault’s CMF-A+ platform – a development of the CMF-A on which the popular Kwid hatchback is based. What we can tell you is that it will be larger than the Kwid and will have a longer wheelbase too, but overall length will still be under four metres so the MPV can qualify for the excise benefits on ‘small cars’. Notably, the Renault MPV will come with a third row of seats making it suitable for up to seven passengers.

Powering the budget MPV will be an updated version of the Kwid’s BR10 1.0-litre petrol engine that could be upgraded with a turbocharger to deal with the additional load requirements. Renault is looking to price the MPV in line with mid-size hatchbacks.

Coming: Mid 2019
Engines: 1.0P
Price: Rs 4.5-5 lakh