With the increasing rivalry in the sub-compact SUV space, Maruti Suzuki India is gearing up to launch the updated Vitara Brezza SUV in the country. Expected to be launched soon, the new 2018 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza will be introduced in AMT avatar this time as Tata Motors recently launched Nexon AMT IN India. The updated SUV has been spotted ahead of its official launch while shooting for a commercial shoot, courtesy CarandBike. Launched in the year 2016 with single engine option only, the Maruti Vitara Brezza still attracts healthy volumes from the market. To further tighten the screws, country's leading automaker will be introducing the updated Maruti Vitara Brezza soon with an AMT as well. See Also: Upcoming Maruti Suzuki Cars in India: New Maruti Ertiga 2018, New Ciaz, Future S & More

The AMT derivative is likely to be offered on mid and top-end variants unlike Tata Nexon AMT which is offered only on top end model - XZA+ trim only. The AMT is expected to be offered on the diesel version of compact SUV currently.

On the mechanical front, the new 2018 Maruti Vitara Brezza will continue to sport same engine option. It will come powered by a 1.3-liter, 4 cylinder, turbo diesel unit capable of making 88.8 bhp power @ 4,000rpm against the peak torque of 200 Nm @ 1,750 rpm. The engine will now come mated to an AMT unit as well as 5-speed gearbox (as seen previously). In terms of mileage, the manual variants are claimed to return fuel efficiency of 24.3 kmpl making it the most fuel efficient compact SUV in the country till date. Moreover, similar figures are also expected for the AMT avatar as well. See Also: 2018 Toyota Yaris Vs Honda City Vs Hyundai Verna Vs Maruti Ciaz: Price, Features, Specifications Comparison

As per the market rumors, it is also speculated that the Indo-Japanese car maker will launch the petrol derivative of the SUV by the end of this year. The petrol engine could be a 1.5-litre unit which might develop max power of 100bhp and will be mated to a 5-speed manual unit or an AMT gearbox. It is also believed that the company could introduce 1.0-litre BoosterJet engine on the Vitara Brezza Petrol.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2018 03:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).