It looks like Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car-maker, is planning to advance the launch of its much-awaited YRA premium hatchback in the country, according to reports emerging online.
The latest buzz on the internet is that Maruti is getting ready to launch a new hatchback in the domestic market by May this year and the initial preparations are underway.
Hakuhodo Percept has received an advertising account from Maruti for a B-segment car that is scheduled to go on sales in May, according to The Economic Times. Hakuhodo Percept is an Indo-Japanese media venture that had previously worked with Maruti's brands like the Maruti 800, Wagon R, A Star and Grand Vitara, but lost the account of all later. The latest deal is said to be ₹100 crore.
Although the name of the new model is not revealed, it could be Maruti YRA, considering the upcoming B-segment cars of Maruti. But what is surprising is that the news does not seem to be in line with the previous reports that listed the company's launch schedule of 2015.
Speaking of YRA hatchback, the model will compete against the likes of Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda's upcoming Jazz. The car will sit above the company's popular Swift hatchback and will be 90kg lighter than Swift.
It is expected to pack features like chrome door handles, five-spoke alloy wheels, rear wiper and de-fogger. Other speculated features include steering-mounted controls, new music system with touchscreen, engine start-stop button, electrically adjustable OVRMs and reverse parking sensors.
Under the hood, YRA is rumoured to include 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel mill.