Maruti Suzuki shifts gears, moves from hatchbacks to SUV-based models

The passenger vehicle maker is trying to position the facelifted Ignis as the perfect compact urban SUV model. Will buyers give the Ignis a second chance?

Three and a half years ago, as French carmaker Renault was basking in the new-found success of the Kwid, a cross between an SUV and a car, a team of engineers at Maruti Suzuki, under the leadership of C V Raman, senior executive director, engineering, were busy etching a new design language for India's largest passenger vehicle maker. 

Fast forward to September 2019, Maruti’s first mini SUV, S Presso (Rs 3.71 lakh to Rs 4.99 lakh, ex-showroom) which broke cover at the 2018 Auto Expo as a Future S concept, debuts in the Indian market. It is followed by the