New Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza expected end-2021

Maruti and Suzuki’s all-new Brezza is likely to see the light of day towards the end of 2021. Delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the earlier shift to Bharat Stage 6, which sucked up a huge amount of engineering capacity, the all-new compact SUV will take on competition like the Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue.

• Second-gen Vitara Brezza to retain rugged, upright stance
• Maruti’s Heartect platform will underpin the all-new Vitara Brezza
• Stronger mild-hybrid system likely to be used

First launched in 2016, Maruti hit the jackpot with the Vitara Brezza. A stand-up SUV design that looked and felt larger than its sub-four-metre long dimensions suggested, the big on the inside SUV from Maruti sets the sales charts on fire. This, despite the fact that Maruti only sold the SUV with one engine, the Fiat-sourced 1.3 Multijet based DDiS diesel. And, to its credit, Maruti has managed to keep that momentum going today, even after the emission norm dictated the recent shift to a petrol-only model. 

All-new Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza likely to stick to ‘squared-off’ look

For the second-gen model, Maruti is likely to stick with the rugged, upright stance, and generous width that made the Brezza so popular. This is likely to make it both space efficient on the inside, and help Maruti retain that spacious rear seat and relatively large capacity boot. The design of the new car is said to have a bold grille up-front, a bluff nose and sharp-looking LEDs.

All-new Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza will use Heartect technology

In an effort to enhance safety, the Vitara Brezza will use Heartect technology, where the floor of the monocoque structure is strengthened and engineered with pre-set load paths in mind. This is likely to give the SUV an advantage when it comes to safety. The new architecture is also likely to help give the car an advantage as using a more modern electric and electronic architecture, with a more centralised approach, will allow for easier integration of new systems; stuff like connected tech and advanced safety systems.

All-new Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza could use stronger hybrid tech

While the new Vitara Brezza will carry on using the K series 1.5 petrol engine, Maruti is also expected to ramp up the amount of electrical assistance. While the system will continue to be a mild-hybrid, Maruti is expected to use a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor, and these should give it greater fuel savings. Also on the cards is Maruti’s 1.5 diesel engine, which is slated to make a return to the fold after a considerable gap.

Published in Autocar India's December 2020 issue

The question is will Maruti sell the old and new car side-by-side? The current Brezza could take on competition at the lower end of the segment, with the new car facing off against the loaded Venue and Sonet.