MPV Segment Gets Premium Push With Maruti Suzuki XL6
Auto Tech Review|September 2019
Notwithstanding the slowdown in the automotive sector in the last three quarters, manufacturers have continued to introduce new products. In fact, the last couple of months have seen the launch of two new brands in the Indian market as well, that of MG Motors and Kia Motors. August, in particular, has been an exciting month for the market with a slew of new product introductions. One of the latest models to hit the road is the Maruti Suzuki XL6, a premium MPV based on the company's older MPV, the Ertiga.
Deepangshu Dev Sarmah
MPV Segment Gets Premium Push With Maruti Suzuki XL6

The XL6 is a six seater MPV, Maruti Suzuki’s first three row seater to be sold through its NEXA retail outlets. In fact, the genesis of the XL6’s name lies in it being an “exclusive six seater”. The XL6 has been offered just one engine, a new BS VI compliant 1.5 l petrol engine that comes with two transmission options, a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Let's take you on a drive around the Pink City of Jaipur and tell you what we think of this new MPV from Maruti Suzuki's stable.

XL6 VS ERTIGA

Before we get to the details of the vehicle, let’s understand how the XL6 is different from the Ertiga. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is the carmaker's second MPV after the highly successful Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The two vehicles, however, will be sold through separate channels. While XL6 will be sold via Nexa dealerships – aiming to cater to the more premium customers, the Ertiga will continue to be sold through the Arena dealerships.

Aimed at attracting a wider range of customers, Maruti Suzuki offers the Ertiga in three fuel options – petrol, diesel as well as CNG. The petrol engine is same as the one available in XL6, one that delivers 92 hp of peak power and 122 Nm of torque and comes paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. There is the trusted 1.3 l, DDiS 225, diesel powertrain as well that churns out 95 hp of power, 225 Nm of torque and comes paired to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The XL6, on the other hand, gets only a single engine option – a BS VI-compliant K15 petrol engine that makes 105 hp and 138 Nm of peak torque and is offered with a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Power delivery on both variants is smooth and quick, although gear shifts on the AT might not be to the liking of many.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Auto Tech Review.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Auto Tech Review.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AUTO TECH REVIEWView All
Sound Generation For Enhanced Road Safety
Auto Tech Review

Sound Generation For Enhanced Road Safety

With an ever-increasing number of fully electric and hybrid vehicles entering the market, we are witnessing a change in the acoustic experience in and around the car. The silent nature of the electric powertrain means that other road users miss the familiar acoustic cues that warn them of an approaching vehicle. To remedy this situation, Harman is working on various noise management solutions.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2020
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY CONTRIBUTION OF TODAY'S AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMPS
Auto Tech Review

OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY CONTRIBUTION OF TODAY'S AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMPS

Good lighting makes a major contribution to road safety. In 2011, the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) presented an evaluation system for headlamps that can objectively assess the quality of illumination and glare limitation. New light sources like LEDs and lighting functions (glare-free high beam, partial high beam) have been available for several years, so that an extension of the proven CIE method is necessary, which takes into account, among other things, changed switch-on and service lives of new lighting functions and represents a generally understandable evaluation system. An evaluation system presented in the following by the Technische Uni versität Darmstadt, which was developed by an encompassing expert commission, is intended to provide representative data and enable an objective evaluation of headlamp performance.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2020
RAPIDO RE-INNOVATES TO CATER TO POST COVID-19 LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY
Auto Tech Review

RAPIDO RE-INNOVATES TO CATER TO POST COVID-19 LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY

The rapid pace of urbanisation in the country has witnessed cities expanding and subsuming surrounding villages and smaller towns, evolving into Tier II and III cities.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2020
FUNCTIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS TOP PRIORITY FOR FUTURE AUTOMOTIVE DEPLOYMENT
Auto Tech Review

FUNCTIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS TOP PRIORITY FOR FUTURE AUTOMOTIVE DEPLOYMENT

Increasing levels of electronic content in vehicles result in a large amount of software that is required to run the scenes behind the mechanical aspects of a vehicle. Electronic systems in automobiles are part of every section, from the powertrain to comfort and convenience systems as well as all types of safety equipment. This makes electronics and the software running these systems a critical part of the equation for future mobility solutions. In addition, putting standards in place to measure methods of developing, testing and functioning of such electronic systems also becomes highly relevant.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2020
“BYD'S EV STRATEGY TO ENCOMPASS MOST FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN INDIA”
Auto Tech Review

“BYD'S EV STRATEGY TO ENCOMPASS MOST FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN INDIA”

The country’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem is grappling with a plethora of challenges even as it is striving to wriggle itself out of the ‘nascent stage’ tag. In an exclusive chat with Auto Tech Review, Zhang Jie Ketsu, Executive Director, BYD India shares his perspective on the current EV scenario and how the company intends to progress faster in the Indian automotive industry

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2020
SAFETY IN ELECTRIC AND AUTONOMOUS CARS – SIMULATION OF COMPLEX CRASH SCENARIOS
Auto Tech Review

SAFETY IN ELECTRIC AND AUTONOMOUS CARS – SIMULATION OF COMPLEX CRASH SCENARIOS

Electric and autonomous vehicles allow for novel seating arrangements and packaging strategies, presenting new safety challenges. Physical crash testing must be supplemented with virtual simulation to ensure vehicle safety on shorter development cycles. With its Simcenter Madymo MBS software, Siemens provides improved runtimes and the Active Human model, enabling accurate and rapid occupant safety analysis in complex crash scenarios.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2020
KIA SONET – A MIGHTY OFFERING IN THE COMPACT SUV SEGMENT
Auto Tech Review

KIA SONET – A MIGHTY OFFERING IN THE COMPACT SUV SEGMENT

It wouldn't be wrong to say that Kia Motors India has taken the Indian market by storm in less than 12 months of its presence in the market.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2020
NISSAN'S NEW DIRECTION: ARIYA ALL-ELECTRIC
Auto Tech Review

NISSAN'S NEW DIRECTION: ARIYA ALL-ELECTRIC

Marking a key milestone in Nissan’s transformation strategy, Ariya ticks a lot of boxes highlighting the strengths of the global automotive giant.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2020
BETTER SAFETY WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST FOR MOTORCYCLES
Auto Tech Review

BETTER SAFETY WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST FOR MOTORCYCLES

Rear-end collisions with a slower vehicle suddenly cutting into the lane and intersection accidents with cross-traffic are among the most frequent motorcycle accident types. Continental is now developing an emergency brake assist, which detects an imminent collision with a vehicle ahead or with an obstacle, warns the rider and supports him during braking

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2020
ADAS WILL SERVE AS CATALYST FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE SAFETY
Auto Tech Review

ADAS WILL SERVE AS CATALYST FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE SAFETY

The automotive industry across the globe is increasingly focussing on safety.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2020