FLYING Fronx

On the face of it, the Fronx is a Baleno in a Grand Vitara party frock. But is that all it is, or does this newcomer have more than what meets the eye? 

- SHIVANK BHATT

Say hello to the brand-new Maruti Suzuki Fronx! A weird name for a car, isn't it? But sadly, that is not the end of it, for there are other complications with this latest Maruti. You see, on the face of it, the Fronx comes across as a sub4m version of the Grand Vitara... but that is before you realise that there is already one in the shape of the Brezza. Go beneath the surface, and you'll know that the Fronx is actually a Baleno under the skin. And when you ask Maruti Suzuki if it's just a hatchback-onstilts, they simply dismiss your query by calling the Fronx a compactSUV. So, what exactly is it?

THE GRAND BALENO?

What happens when the Baleno and Grand Vitara snuggle off-road for a bit of fun? The Fronx, obviously! In short, the Fronx is a cross between the Baleno and the Grand Vitara. But that's no bad thing, to be honest. On the contrary, the Fronx is a great-looking car.

The proportions are spot on, and the Fronx nails the SUVcrossover look. And even though it's a Baleno underneath the same Heartect platform and identical wheelbase of 2,520mm - there's hardly any resemblance between the two. The Fronx looks beefier and more substantial than its hatchback counterpart, all thanks to its butch and Grand Vitrara-like front fascia. Like its SUV sibling, the Fronx gets a split headlamp setup, featuring triple LED DRLS on top and projector lamps integrated into the bumper. I also must add that the front looks more muscular because of its curvy edges in comparison to the Grand Vitara's flat profile.