Maruti Fronx With ADAS Spied Testing: Launch Next Year With Series Hybrid Engine
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx has become one of the most popular sub-4-meter SUVs in India, gaining widespread success with its Baleno-based design and impressive feature array. It even has a Toyota counterpart on sale, the Taisor. Recently, an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) equipped variant of the Fronx was spotted testing, raising questions about whether Maruti would launch an ADAS variant of the Fronx or if it is just another export-spec doing tests here.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx ADAS
Automotive enthusiast Kartikey Bansal recently captured a clear spy shot of a Maruti Suzuki Fronx ADAS variant testing in India. The vehicle featured red temporary registration plates from Haryana, a common sight on Maruti test mules and engineering samples. The test vehicle also had some camouflage on it, further indicating it to be an ongoing evaluation.
The spy shot, taken from the front, reveals the ADAS variant to be equipped with an ADAS sensor system comprising LIDAR and a camera. The V-shaped quadrilateral module is designed to continuously monitor the road ahead, detecting obstacles such as cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects. The system works in conjunction with a camera to enhance safety. It is noteworthy that Maruti’s upcoming eVX is also expected to feature ADAS.
Currently, Maruti Suzuki does not offer ADAS on any of its vehicles in India, including the rebadged Toyota models, such as the flagship Invicto. The sighting of ADAS technology being tested on a smaller, more affordable vehicle like the Fronx suggests a positive step forward for Maruti Suzuki in terms of vehicle safety tech offered in the Indian market.
Export or India-Spec?
However, there is a possibility that this ADAS variant might be an export-spec, intended to be sold in more prospective international markets. The manufacturer could just be testing it out here. MSIL has begun exporting the Fronx to Japan, where safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) are mandatory. The global-spec Fronx even has AWD in many markets. The test mule spotted closely resembles the Japan-spec in design, leading to speculations that this particular unit might not be destined for Indian roads.
Will It Launch in India?
As of now, the most significant safety feature Maruti Suzuki offers in its Indian lineup is the inclusion of up to six airbags. The company has faced severe criticism in the past for the low safety ratings of its vehicles. The introduction of an ADAS-equipped Fronx would represent a major step forward for the brand in improving vehicle safety.
In addition to the ADAS module, the recently spied test mule also featured front parking sensors, a feature which is not currently offered in the Indian spec. The Fronx here is powered by a 1.2L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol.
Speculations also suggest that MSIL could soon launch a facelift to the Fronx featuring a 1.2L series hybrid engine. In an exclusive, we had previously discussed the possibility of this hybrid and how the tech could make its way into other smaller Maruti cars in the future. We will have to wait till the much-awaited facelift launches sometime next year, to know more.
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