Maruti Suzuki India Limited surprised us at the last Auto Expo with their A-Star concept and at this year's Auto Expo the company has come forward with another 'Indian tailored' concept in the form of a compact Multi Purpose Vehicle codenamed the rIII.
Developed by Suzuki Designers, the rIII is touted to be the next generation in people movers as it offers sedan like comfort with space being optimized for comfort that can house a large family.
According to the designers, the central theme that prevailed over the concept was that of togetherness. The rIII is a mobility solution that works on levels of fun, sportiness, elegance as well as being a people mover all rolled into one. The designers were careful not to go overboard with the concept for the other element that they wanted to achieve was to provide large interior space while retaining the exterior compact proportions. It's a new mantra and also requires for some innovative usage of design cues and materials, however the company is bullish on the prospects such a design offers.
The concept itself is quite a stunner. The bulkiness associated with MPV's in general has been done away with in this case for the rIII intends on being anything but bulky. From the exterior standpoint, the vehicle comes across as dynamic and sporty with a robust flair that gives a whole new dimension to MPV design especially with touches such as the front grille, central aluminum wing and neat headlights and the generous use of colors to enhance the entire appeal factor. The rIII boasts of daylight opening and a glass roof to give the interiors a spacious appeal. Other key design elements include the rear tail lamps which have been concealed behind the tinted glass of the back door and the aluminum accent along the side.
With such fine attention to the exteriors, MSIL has taken the interiors to a whole new level in terms of luxury, space and flexibility. According to the designers, the interiors are inspired by flowing water. Each element seamlessly merges with the next, yet retains a functional purpose. Combined with this look are the number of infotainment gadgets that make the rIII a rather fun place to be in.
Ergonomics have also played a big role in the rIII and the vehicle. The well appointed seats, use of various colors and materials such as aluminum go a long way in creating an aura of luxury and comfort. Functional elements include the sliding rear seats that automatically move back when the rear doors are opened.
Apart from being a cutting edge MPV, the rIII also showcases MSIL's growing R&D prowess. The company is definitely moving forward in terms of design and the fact that the rIII took under 9 months to roll out from sketch to concept is a sure sign of the capabilities of MSIL. When will this concept become a reality has not been divulged just yet, however considering how quickly the A-Star rolled out, you maybe ought to hold on to that thought!
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