Suzuki showcased the Hustler at the Tokyo Motor Show in November this year and the mini crossover caught our attention. The Hustler was in the news everywhere and the speculation games began on whether it will be launched or not. Interestingly, a news report in an automotive website claims the Hustler could be headed for India and Maruti will target the youth and young families by launching the mini SUV.
The Hustler is an unconventional looking mini crossover which is based on the Wagon R’s platform, but has greater interior space using the same underpinnings. The Kei SUV gets a three pot, 660cc engine in naturally aspirated and turbocharged form with two transmission choices; a five-speed manual or a CVT. The Hustler can be bought with a 2WD or 4WD with the stick-shifter or minus one-pedal in the Japanese domestic market. However, if it does make it to India, it won’t get this motor and might share the K-series power trains with its Indian cousins and may not get the 4WD either.
The Hustler starts at 1.048 million Yen (Rs 6.15 lakh) in the JDM and can be bought in 11 shades of colour, with lots of innovational touches to the interiors and feature list. The fuel economy for the naturally aspirated 660cc mated to a CVT is rated at 29.2 kmpl put through the JC08 cycle.
If the Hustler makes it to India, it could threaten the sales of its Indian cousin the Ritz, if priced close to it. India isn’t a market where anything will sell, but coming from a manufacturer like Maruti, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Hustler walks away with the honours. It is a lot smaller than the Duster and EcoSport, and the Hustler might muscle its way through a new segment altogether.
We will be waiting until the Auto Expo 2014 for more news on the Hustler.
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