Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza to be offered only with diesel engine in India

As Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car maker, prepares to welcome its new compact SUV Vitara Brezza at Auto Expo 2016, the emerging reports on the web indicate that the model will be sold only in diesel engine option in India.

A report of ET Auto reveals that Maruti Vitara Brezza will be powered by only diesel engine in India, at least initially. The petrol variant of Vitara Brezza could hit the Indian market later in its life cycle. However, the report adds that the compact SUV may get 1.5L M series petrol engine in its export model.

For now, powering the new Vitara Brezaa in India is likely to be the tried and tested Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre DDiS diesel unit which also does duty in Swift and Dzire. It is not clear whether the engine in question will come in its 74bhp avatar or its 89bhp mode. Maruti hopes to sell 10,000 units of Vitara Brezza per month.

The Vitara Brezza, the first vehicle to be conceived, designed, developed and validated in India by Maruti R&D team led by Chief Engineer CV Raman is likely to go on sale in India in March. Expected to be priced between Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8.2 lakh, Brezza will come with square wheel arches, short overhangs, high ground clearance and upright hood.

As for features, expect the SUV to house multi-functioning steering wheel, SmartPlay touchscreen entertainment system, automatic climate control, key-less entry, push start/stop button and touchscreen infotainment system. On the safety front, Maruti is likely to equip its new offering with airbags and anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).