The demand for bigger 7-seater SUVs in India is going up. Due to this, major automakers are now working on the development of new 7-seater SUVs. Of these, two major carmakers are Toyota and Maruti Suzuki. Both strategic partners have been developing extended versions of their popular hybrid SUVs, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Grand Vitara, respectively. Recently, a new test mule of the upcoming Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-seater has been spotted testing.
Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-seater spotted testing
This particular test mule of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-seater was spotted testing in a high-altitude environment. We can note from the spy image that this particular vehicle was covered with full-body camouflage. However, from the overall body and the alloy wheel design, it can be noted that it is the extended version of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
For those wondering how it can be distinguished from the 5-seater version, viewers will have to zoom in on the rear overhang of this test mule. It can be clearly noted that it is longer than the standard 5-seater model. Also, the overall side profile of this test mule is stretched more than the standard Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Will get AWD as well
Apart from the visible changes in the spy image, it has also been reported that this particular test mule was seen with visible rear axle shafts. This means that the 7-seater version of this SUV will also be offered with an all-wheel-drive system (Maruti Suzuki’s AllGrip). Currently, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota offer AWD with the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid variants.
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Prior to this recent spotting of the test mule of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-seater, it was believed that this project, along with the development of the Grand Vitara 7-seater, had been shelved. However, this latest development has again ignited talks about these two SUVs coming to the market. Currently, this segment is ruled by the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and the Hyundai Alcazar.
However, with Toyota and Maruti Suzuki bringing strong and mild-hybrid models to this party, it will surely shake up this segment. The primary reason why these models could become more successful in India is due to the fact that the mild and strong hybrid powertrains will offer better fuel efficiency than the above-mentioned rivals.
As Indian buyers are very mileage-conscious and the demand for larger SUVs is going up, these two SUVs could become a hit in the segment. Most likely, both of these models could be making their debut in the second half of this year or by early next year. We can expect more details on the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-seater and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 7-seater in the coming months.
Both the Grand Vitara and Urban Cruiser Hyryder currently get two engine options. The first is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 103 bhp and is paired with a 12V mild-hybrid system. They also get a strong-hybrid unit, which comprises a three-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and battery pack. The setup offers a maximum output of 116 bhp.
Earlier this month, Toyota introduced a new “Tech Package” for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, priced at Rs 29,499, to give a push to the sales of this SUV. This package consists of ambient lighting, a heads-up display (HUD), and a digital video recorder with dashcam capability.
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