An interesting vehicle was spotted in Delhi recently which is even smaller than most compact hatchback cars in India.
Social media platforms and news channels have been reporting about the Suzuki Hustler which was spied in India recently. For the unversed, the Hustler is a Kei car which is quite popular in Japan. These cars are ultra-compact and have small engines which makes them perfect for city usage. They mostly have high mileage and are easily manoeuvrable making them ideal for tight confinements of the urban conditions. Since the trend of micro SUVs is gaining popularity in the Indian market, some reports suggest that we might see it launch here. But I find it hard to justify this product for our market.
Suzuki Hustler Spied in India
These images have been uploaded by delhisupercars on their Instagram handle. Interestingly, the vehicle is plying on the road without any attempt to conceal its true identity. That is the first sign why I think it is not meant for our market. Any new car from any carmaker can’t test without wearing camouflage. Therefore, it is possible that Maruti Suzuki might be testing it for components. That is a common practice a lot of carmakers adopt. In fact, since India is a huge export hub for Suzuki to access various international markets, it is possible that it is just being tested for that.
The Suzuki Hustler in Japan comes with a length of around 3.3 m and a wheelbase of 2.4 m. It is based on the Heartect platform and has been in production since 2014. Moreover, being a Kei car, it has a 660-cc 3-cylinder petrol engine which produces a seemingly underwhelming 48 hp in the naturally aspirated guise and a decent 64 hp in the turbocharged version. These engines pair with a CVT automatic transmission with the option of an all-wheel-drive configuration. With a boxy silhouette, 15-inch alloy wheels, curve-less side panels, upright stance, and compact dimensions, I don’t think the Indian buyers will find it appealing. In comparison, the Ignis is 3.7 m long and has a wheelbase of 2.43 m. Hence, offering such a tiny car doesn’t make any sense.
Our View
Since Indians are increasingly purchasing bigger and bigger cars for imposing road presence and room inside the cabin, it doesn’t seem likely that they would prefer something as compact and tiny as the Suzuki Hustler. Also, if Maruti Suzuki was really planning to bring it to our shores, it would’ve wrapped it in camouflage. A new car without a cover unequivocally indicates that the carmaker has no intent of launching it. Still, I shall keep an eye out for further developments in this regard.
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