Made-In-India Maruti Suzuki Fronx Now Gets ADAS And All Wheel Drive But You Can’t Buy One!
The crossover SUV Fronx from Maruti Suzuki has quickly gained a lot of popularity in India. It comes packed with features and offers a unique appearance. Recently, Maruti Suzuki gave this SUV a number of new and more advanced features, including ADAS and all-wheel drive. However, the problem is that even if you want to get these features, you won’t be able to. The reason, you may ask? Well, these features are exclusively for the Japanese market.
Made-in-India Fronx for Japan
The Japanese version of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, which is made in India, gets a number of significant upgrades over its Indian counterpart. It includes ADAS, which utilizes both a camera and radar system. The Japanese Fronx also gets front parking sensors.
Another standout feature in the Japan-bound Fronx is the all-wheel drive system, which is powered by electric motors on the rear wheels. This setup, known as the All Grip, is offered exclusively on the Japanese Fronx. This all-wheel drive capability is complemented by multiple driving modes, including Sport and Snow modes.
In terms of comfort and convenience, the Japanese Fronx is also equipped with ventilated front seats. Additionally, the SUV features an electronic parking brake, Hill Descent Control, and Grip Control. These features help in maintaining stability and control in challenging hilly conditions.
Fronx Export from India to Japan
The Fronx is the first SUV from Maruti Suzuki to be launched in Japan. It follows in the footsteps of the Baleno, which made its way to the Japanese market in 2016. Manufactured exclusively at Maruti Suzuki’s state-of-the-art plant in Gujarat, the first consignment of over 1,600 vehicles has already been shipped from Gujarat’s Pipavav port to Japan.
The vehicle is set to hit Japanese roads in autumn 2024. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, expressed pride in this achievement, noting that the Fronx displays the best of Indian automotive engineering and design. He emphasized that the vehicle’s export to one of the most quality-conscious markets in the world is a testament to Maruti Suzuki’s ability to produce world-class vehicles.
The Indian Fronx
While the Japanese market will enjoy a fully-loaded Fronx, the version sold in India remains more modestly equipped. This unique crossover SUV was launched in India back in April 2023. Since then, the Fronx quickly gained popularity for its modern SUV design and premium features, becoming the fastest model in the country to achieve 100,000 sales within just 10 months.
The Indian Fronx, however, does not include the advanced features offered in the Japanese variant, such as ADAS, all-wheel drive, or ventilated seats. Instead, the Indian Fronx is available in petrol and CNG variants, powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series engine. The CNG variant was recently launched at a starting price of Rs. 8.46 lakh.
Now, despite lacking some of the high-tech features of its Japanese counterpart, the Indian Fronx still offers a decent package. The Fronx sold in India gets seven-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, automatic climate control, projector headlamps, steering-mounted controls, and safety features like ABS with EBD and six airbags.