Maruti Suzuki XA alpha

Maruti Suzuki had everyone on their feet at the 2012 Auto Expo with the unveiling of the XA Alpha concept which the carmaker promised, will be put into production. The vehicle is also being developed at the right time, with compact crossovers like the Renault Duster and the Ford EcoSport making big waves in the market and making life miserable for the mid-size sedans.

The XA Alpha will ride the wave by being a value-for-money compact crossover that is expected to look muscular and menacing, unlike the Mahindra Quanto. The concept shown at the Auto Expo looked inspired by the Range Rover Evoque, which is itself is a great looking vehicle! The XA Alpha’s production model should feature flared wheel arches, a tall stance and a receding roofline like the one seen on the new Swift. We also expect to see a narrow glasshouse.

Under the sheetmetal, we expect the familiar engines to take up the reins - the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine with 90PS and 210 Nm outputs and the 1.4-litre K-series petrol engine that produces 95 PS and 130 Nm. Despite the XA Alpha’s sporty ambitions, both the engines could be tuned for class-leading fuel economy. Maruti Suzuki could mate the petrol engine to an automatic transmission as well but we do not expect any 4x4 gadgetry to make it to the XA Alpha’s production model - unless of course, Maruti Suzuki wants to make it a befitting successor to the legendary Gypsy.