It is not hidden that Maruti Suzuki is working on a new mid-size SUV that will be going against the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta primarily. The new mid-size SUV has been codenamed YFG and will be launched during the festive season this year. It is expected that the new SUV will be called “Vitara”. Now, more details about the upcoming SUV have been revealed.
According to Autocar India, the new mid-size SUV will be based on Suzuki’s Global C platform. We have already experienced this platform on the Brezza, S-Cross and Ciaz. In fact, the new S-Cross that has gone on sale in the global markets is also based on the same platform.
Earlier, it was expected that the SUV will be based on Toyota’s TNGA-B platform which is a low-cost version of the global TNGA platform. The low-cost version is also called DNGA. The platform, components, underpinnings, engine and the gearbox would be shared between the Maruti Suzuki YFG and the Toyota Hyryder. The full name of the Hyryder could be Urban Cruiser Hyryder and it is codenamed D22. Toyota will launch its version of the SUV on July 1st.
Moreover, Maruti Suzuki will no longer use the “Vitara” moniker for the Brezza. This leads us to believe that the manufacturer will be using the Vitara moniker for the upcoming SUV. This makes sense because Vitara has been an iconic nameplate for the manufacturer and it has been absent from our market for a very long time. The Vitara is being sold in the European market and is at the end of its lifecycle as it was launched back in 2015. So, there are chances that the new SUV will also be exported from India.
The engine that will do duty on both the SUVs will be Suzuki’s 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, K12C engine that we recently saw on the XL6 and Ertiga. It will produce 103 Ps of max power and is expected to produce a peak torque output of 137 Nm. It will also get mil-hybrid technology that will provide torque assist when the engine is not in its most efficient state. It will come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The automatic transmission would also get paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. This engine is expected to be offered on the lower variants.
Till now, we have only seen this engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox. So, a 6-speed unit is a welcome addition. This should help in increasing the fuel efficiency when the people are driving on highways as the additional gear will help in keeping the revs lower. The media report also said that this engine would also get all-wheel drive system which will be first-in-segment feature and might attract a lot of buyers.
The second engine on offer will be the same 1.5-litre K12C but it will get strong hybrid technology. The hybrid technology is from Toyota but the implementation has been done by Suzuki. It will produce 116 Ps of max power. The torque output of the engine is not yet known. It will come mated to only an e-CVT automatic transmission.
Via Autocar India
Keyword: Maruti Suzuki's upcoming compact SUV: New details surface