Last Updated on February 10, 2022 by Anu Joy
Maruti Suzuki, the top automaker in India, has finally woken up and is said to be working on an all-electric SUV. According to a report, the vehicle will be a tad bit larger in size than the current bestsellers in the 15 to 20 lakh rupees price category, the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. The electric SUV will run for up to 500km on a single charge, which is higher than the MG ZS EV’s and Hyundai Kona Electric’s claimed range of 419kms and 452kms respectively. However, it will take three more years before you can see it in the flesh, as the company plans to launch it in 2025.
Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have an alliance in India, and globally, where the former supplies the Baleno to the latter, which is rebadged to the Toyota Glanza. Similar badge engineering can be seen with the Brezza and Urban Cruiser. Toyota was expected to share its Hybrid tech with Maruti Suzuki as per the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding). Now, the report suggests that both Japanese automakers are jointly developing an all-electric car platform, which will spawn Maruti Suzuki’s SUV (codename: YY8), while Toyota’s version will be inspired by the design of Toyota’s BZ4X EV.
Maruti Suzuki YY8 Electric SUV Features
The YY8 electric SUV is expected to boast of a futuristic design and will sport a 27PL skateboard design platform, derived from Toyota’s 40PL global platform. Skateboards provide the flexibility of developing various types of cars and SUVs from a single platform. The wheelbase can be adjusted as per the requirement and the motor can be placed on the front, rear, or at both axles. The battery packs can also be placed on the floor, improving the car’s centre of gravity.
The Maruti Suzuki electric SUV will come with a wheelbase of 2700mm, which is more than that of the Creta, Seltos, Kushaq, and Taigun. This should liberate a lot of leg space inside the car. It will be longer than the Nexon EV, Kushaq, Taigun, and Hyundai Kona EV, while being a bit shorter in length than the Creta and Seltos. It will be the widest car in the segment with an 1880mm width. Also, it will have a better height than the Creta and Seltos, possibly more ground clearance as well.
The YY8 EV will carry a 48kWh or a 59kWh battery pack, which is more than that of the Nexon EV, MG ZS EV, and Hyundai Kona EV in India. The two-wheel-drive variant with the smaller battery pack is expected to get a single 138hp motor, capable of delivering a 400km range. The all-wheel-drive variant will get two electric motors, producing a combined 170hp and up to 500km range in real-world driving. The Li-ion battery packs will be sourced from TDSG, a joint venture between Suzuki Motor Corp., Denso Corp., and Toshiba Corp, which will manufacture them in Gujarat. Initially, it will be importing battery packs from BYD, China.
The EV won’t just be plying on Indian roads, but will also be exported overseas. It will be manufactured in Suzuki’s Ahmedabad, Gujarat plant for India as well as international markets. Toyota also may use Suzuki’s factories for the production of certain components for its own version of the electric SUV.
Maruti Suzuki Midsize SUV: Expected Price
The Maruti Suzuki YY8 midsize electric SUV is rumoured to be aggressively priced in the ₹13 lakh to ₹15 lakh price band, undercutting even the Nexon EV’s prices of ₹14.29 lakh to ₹16.90 lakh, ex-showroom. The pricing seems unreal, but if Maruti Suzuki really manages to pull it off, then it will totally annihilate the opposition.
Currently, Tata has two electric vehicles on sale in India. By 2025 it might add at least two more EVs to its portfolio. Moreover, it is also the highest EV car seller in India. Will it be too late for Maruti-Suzuki and Toyota in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.
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