MARUTI SUZUKI INVICTO

The country's largest car maker enters uncharted territory in its quest to be seen as a premium player

-  ABHAY VERMA

MARUTI SUZUKI INVICTO ALPHA PLUS

 Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid Power: 186.2PS @ 6,000rpm Torque: 188+206Nm Weight: 1,685kg Gearbox: E-CVT Price: ₹ 28.42 lakh ex-showroom

It’s exactly eight years this month since Maruti Suzuki launched its premium Nexa chain of dealerships and interestingly, the Invicto is the eighth product to retail from Nexa dealerships, the most expensive Maruti Suzuki yet! Yes, it is based on the Innova Hycross, as part of Maruti Suzuki’s partnership with Toyota, but the carmaker has added its own distinctive touches to the premium MUV. Maruti Suzuki is also keen on augmenting its positioning as a premium car maker with the Invicto, besides wanting to cement itself as a strong player in the SUV and MUV space further.

No prizes for guessing, the design is identical to that of the Innova Hycross but it’s the subtle changes that make it look more appealing. The grille gets thick chrome slats that house the Suzuki logo, while the headlamps look different too. The DRLs and tail lamps use Maruti Suzuki’s trademark triple LED design and do their bit in helping the Invicto stand out. Unlike the Innova Hycross that’s offered with 18-inch wheels on the top variant, you can only have the Invicto with 17-inch wheels and the wheel design is typically Maruti Suzuki. What’s also worth noting is that the Invicto has a muscular, almost SUV-esque feel from most angles, especially the rear, thanks to its ground clearance and prominent wheel arches.