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  The XA Alpha Concept was styled by the company's India-based designers.

Suzuki's XA Alpha 4WD was given a big thumbs-up at Delhi.

The XA Alpha Concept - the result of Suzuki Japan's styling and Maruti of India's marketing - is presented as a potential replacement for the basic and boxy Suzuki Jimny 4WD. 

But though it carries a lot of weight - the Maruti Suzuki venture is India's biggest carmaker with a massive 40 per cent share - and has all the contemporary SUV looks, chances are slim that it'll make it to global showrooms.

"It's very much a styling exercise that reflects the trend in SUVs,'' says Suzuki Australia spokesman Andrew Ellis.

"It's a reaction to what Suzuki sees people want. But there are no current plans for this to reach production. If Suzuki pressed the button on this project today, it'll be at least three years before it'll be seen in showrooms.' 

India is Suzuki's biggest market and, in answer to booming car sales in the country, partner Maruti has completed a multi-million dollar research and development complex and engine plant near Delhi. 

The XA Alpha Concept - which in size sits between the Jimny and Vitara three-door - was styled by the company's India-based designers in partnership with engineers from Suzuki's Japanese office.

Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that the five-door SUV concept measures 4000mm long, making it around 350mm longer than the Jimny, 150mm longer than the Swift hatch and 60mm shorter than the three-door Grand Vitara. 

Suzuki says the XA is focused on younger drivers in an urban setting, chasing a sports-focused look rather than the more ruggedly styled SUVs available in India. "

This concept showcases the unified R&D efforts of Suzuki and Maruti which will be a big asset for us in India in the future,'' says Maruti Suzuki CEO Shinzo Nakanishi at the Delhi motor show.