Maruti Suzuki on Thursday unveiled two new SUVs- 5-door Jimny and Fronx on the second day of Auto Expo 2023. With this move, the automaker seeks to regain 50% market share in the passenger vehicle segment in the Indian market by bolstering its presence in the SUV space.
Unveiling the products at the Auto Expo 2023, Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the company’s medium-term goal has been to get back 50% market share and secure the number one position in the SUV segment. He noted that there has been a rapid shift in customer preference toward SUVs in the Indian market, adding that the recently launched SUVs, Grand Vitara and Brezza, have received a resounding response from the market and are enjoying strong customer demand.
The 5-door Jimny is powered by the 1.5L petrol engine which is the same deployed in the Brezza and Ertiga. Jimny comes with both manual and automatic transmission options. Measuring 3,985 mm long, 1,645 mm wide, and 1,720 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,590 mm, the 5-Door Jimny is 505 mm longer than the existing three-door version we have here, while its wheelbase is 340 mm greater than that of the three-door model.
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On the other hand, the new Fronx SUV is based on the Baleno hatchback platform and will be positioned between the Grand Vitara and Brezza SUVs in the Indian market. The bold design is inspired by the Grand Vitara up front with a slim two-tier light setup and a large mesh grille.
The side profile features squarish wheel arches, a tapered roof with a floating effect, and some thick black claddings adding to the ruggedness of the vehicle. At the back, there are distinct LED taillamps that are connected by an LED light bar while a massive silver skid plate is there at the bottom of the bumper.
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Inside, the dual-tone design theme consists of flat-bottomed steering, an infotainment system, and an instrument cluster that is reminiscent of the Baleno. Fronx also gets a 9.0-inch free-standing SmartPlay infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and comes equipped with a 360-degree camera as well. In terms of safety, it gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-hold assist, and electronic stability control.
New Maruti Suzuki Fronx SUV
Two engine options are offered with Fronx SUV. There is a 1.0L Boosterjet turbo with 100hp and 147Nm and 1.2L K-Series naturally aspirated petrol engine good for 89hp and 113Nm. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual and 6-speed auto with paddle shifters. Commenting at the launch event, Hisashi Takeuchi said:
“We are delighted to present the much-awaited Jimny with its legendary off-road prowess offering an authentic motoring experience both on and off-road. I am confident that both Fronx and Jimny will be greeted with the same enthusiasm as our much-loved SUVs, Grand Vitara and Brezza.”
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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