Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest automobile manufacturer has commenced bookings for its multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Invicto at ₹25,000 beginning June 19 across all NEXA showrooms. Invicto, which is a rebadged version of Toyota Innova Hycross, will be launched on July 5. Invicto will be priced at more than ₹20-lakh vehicle category, thus making it the most priced offering by Maruti Suzuki thus far. With the launch of Invicto, the company will foray into the ₹20-lakh vehicle category as well as the premium three-row segment. This three-row strong hybrid MPV is touted to lock horns with Toyota Innova Hycross and Kia Carnival.
"The Invicto marks Maruti Suzuki’s grand entrance into the premium 3-row segment, expanding the already diverse NEXA product lineup. Crafted to match the modern taste of NEXA customers, who want a premium 3-row vehicle with the characteristics of SUV (sports utility vehicle) and MPV, the Invicto will appeal to customers who are looking for a strong design, best-in-class passenger room, ample cargo space, spirited performance, advanced technology, and a host of utility features," the company said in a statement.
Invicto will be available in both 3-row seven-seat and 3-row eight-seat configurations. Though the MPV will have minor tweaks, Invicto is likely to get a TNGA 2.0 litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a direct shift CVT (continuously variable transmission) in select grades, delivering an output of 128 kW (174 PS), which is similar to that of Toyota Hycross. The MPV is also likely to sport a panoramic sunroof, a front grille with a gun-metal finish, automatic LED headlamps with auto high beam, and a first in segment dual function daytime running light (DRL).
Last week, Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director, sales and marketing, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said that with the launch of Invicto, the automobile heavyweight is aiming to target both SUV and MPV customers.
"Previously we have been examining whether we should go separately as an MPV or separately as an SUV (sports utility vehicle). But we have seen from our research, consumer sentiments in terms of three-row MPV are similar in terms of design, in terms of their requirement, in terms of spaciousness and in terms of good performance, and great features. And that is where this product comes in," said Shrivastava.
In FY23, the company clocked sales of 2,68,000 MPV units. In FY24, Maruti Suzuki plans to corner around 3,00,000 units in MPV sales. "In the past 10 years, the market share of MPV has gone from 6% to 9% in FY23. This year, for the industry, we project the MPV market share to stand at 10% in FY24," Srivastava said.
Invicto will be produced at Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Bidadi Plant. The auto major also plans to bifurcate the production of Invicto owing to supply chain constraints.
