New Delhi : In the Indian car market, Maruti Suzuki has launched many models in collaboration with its associate Japanese carmaker Toyota. Now the news is that Toyota can launch the rebadged version of Maruti Franks in the Indian car market under the name Urban Cruiser Taser. Currently, there is no car available in the sub-4 meter SUV segment from Toyota in the car market. The company had patented the trademark in December of the year 2022 under the name Taser. The company can now add the Taser name to the discontinued Urban Cruiser SUV. Toyota did the same with the Highrider. The Franks based SUV is likely to get some cosmetic changes on the exterior and interior. In this, petrol, turbo-petrol and CNG engine options with Maruti Franks car can be given and its price in the Indian car market can start from Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom).
Toyota will bring subcompact SUV to attract customers
According to media reports, when Japanese carmaker Toyota discontinued the Urban Cruiser at the end of 2022, it has not added a single sub-4 meter SUV to its portfolio since then. In such a situation, it is being speculated that the company would like to try to attract the customers of subcompact SUV with the rebadged version of Maruti Franks. With this, Toyota can register its presence in the SUV space with a budget of less than Rs 10 lakh.
Why Toyota wants to change the name
The biggest question that arises is why Toyota wants to change the name of the rebadged version of Maruti Franks. According to media reports, the second reason behind renaming the new Toyota SUV is that the company has already trademarked the name ‘Taser’ by the end of 2022. The company had only trademarked the name ‘Hyrider’ before launching the Urban Cruiser Highrider. In such a situation, it is expected that the company can use the word Urban Cruiser along with the name Taser.
What will be special in Toyota’s Franks
Some cosmetic updates can be done to the exterior and interior of the Maruti Franks based Toyota crossover SUV. Something similar has also been seen in other shared models Maruti Ertiga-Toyota Rumion and Toyota Innova Highcross-Maruti Invicto.
Maruti Frankx Urban Cruiser Taser Features
The Maruti Franks based Toyota crossover SUV will get almost the same features as the Franks car. These include a 9-inch touchscreen, auto climate control, heads-up display and cruise control. For passenger safety, this SUV can be given safety features like six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, 360 degree camera and electronic stability program (ESP).
Maruti Franks Exterior And Colors
Let us tell you that Maruti Suzuki showcased its new car during the Auto Expo-2023 earlier this year. Maruti Suzuki has named this car Franks and introduced it as a crossover. The Maruti Franks is a fierce looking SUV, which is a sub-4 meter long car based on the Heartect platform. In terms of design, it looks quite sporty and stylish. Its front end is inspired by the Grand Vitara. The C-pillar is coupe-like in profile. The LED strip has been given in this SUV at the rear. Along with this, it also gets LED block taillights. The SUV is offered in five single-colour and three-dual color options, which include Arctic White, Arden Brown, Opulent Red and Splendid Silver shades.
Maruti Franks Interior
The cabin of the Maruti Franks is similar to the other Maruti models. It gets a floating touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charger, flat-bottom steering wheel, HUD, a 360-degree camera, cruise control, six airbags and other features.
Maruti Suzuki fronx engine and performance
The company has introduced the Maruti Franks SUV with two engine options. Maruti has given an option of 1.0-liter booster jet engine producing 99bhp power and 147Nm torque. At the same time, the second option is available for the 1.2-liter Dual Jet petrol engine, which will generate 89bhp power and 113Nm torque. Customers get three transmission options with this model, which include five-speed manual, six-speed torque converter and AMT.
Safety & Competition of Maruti Franks
Maruti Suzuki Franks will get safety features like six airbags (Jeta and Alpha variants only), hill hold assist and rollover mitigation with ESP, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist (BA) and ISOFIX. Maruti Suzuki Franks will compete with Citroën C3 and Tata Punch.
Maruti Franks Price
Maruti Franks price starts at Rs. 8.54 Lakh for the base model and goes up to Rs. 15.33 Lakh for the top model (on-road).