Our Park+ Highlight of the Day includes launch details of the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Invicto premium launch MPV.

The Invicto, the next-generation Maruti Suzuki premium MPV, is scheduled to launch on July 5. Bookings will start on June 19, and as part of the deal between Suzuki and Toyota, it will be a sibling vehicle to the Toyota Innova HyCross, sharing the base and powertrains. Having said that, the Maruti MPV's front end is anticipated to have styling that would give it a unique character, similar to how the Toyota Urban Cruiser HyRyder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara were treated. The HyCross is likely to share all of its characteristics with Maruti's new MPV, which will be sold through the company's Nexa platform.

Speaking to the media, Srivastava said, “Traditionally, so far, we have been looking distinctly at an MPV buyer and an SUV buyer. However, in this segment, the more we researched into it, found that there was a segment for a premium, three-row vehicle buyer, and it seems to be having very strong cross consideration. In that regard, it appears to be a single segment with similar requirements, similar motives to buy and similar income category.”

With Invicto, the company could be attempting to improve the perception of its brand. According to Shashank Srivastava, executive director at Maruti Suzuki, buyers are primarily seeking a luxury three-row experience in the Rs 20 lakh and above sector where the distinctions between the SUV and MPV categories are blurring more and more.

Toyota will manufacture and supply Maruti with the new Invicto MPV at its Bidadi facility, much as it does with the Grand Vitara. The 2.0-liter strong-hybrid engine in the Invicto will be built on Toyota's TNGA-C platform, which means Maruti will have to pay royalties to Toyota for the same. Maruti is also anticipated to keep offering the Invicto in both 7- and 8-seater versions.

As a result, the Invicto will cost a little more than the comparable Innova Hycross model. For reference, the Innova Hycross's petrol models range in price from Rs 18.55 to Rs 19.45 lakh, while the powerful hybrid models cost between Rs 25 and Rs 29.99 lakh.

As both models will be built on the same assembly line, it will be fascinating to observe how Toyota arranges the manufacturing of the Innova Hycross and the Invicto. Although the Hycross just added a third shift to its production, the Invicto will merely prolong the strong-hybrid version waiting time, which already extends up to two years in some areas.

Maruti has confirmed that the 183 horsepower, 2.0-liter strong-hybrid powertrain linked to the e-CVT gearbox from the Hycross would power the Invicto. The 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 173 horsepower is anticipated to be available on entry-level trims and paired with a CVT gearbox. This is significant since it will be the first Maruti to only be offered with automatic transmissions.

In order to set the Invicto distinct from its Toyota sibling, it will also undergo some visual changes. Recent spy photos have already shown us the new appearance.

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