Both Japanese brands are co-developing a new product that could soon shake up the mid-size SUV space
Suzuki and Toyota are working together at a global level and have a few rebadged products on sale in India as well. Both the Japanese manufacturers are yet to enter the highly-competitive mid-size SUV segment that is ruled by the likes of Creta and Seltos. Now, pictures show both the brands testing their upcoming products together on the public roads.
Overview
Both the cars will have difference faces
Suzuki and Toyota have joined hands at a global level to bring new products to the markets around the world. In India, we already have products like Toyota Urban Cruiser and Toyota Glanza that are based on Maruti Suzuki products.
Now Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are together working on their first jointly developed vehicle. It will land in India later this year. The new mid-size SUV will sell through Toyota dealerships and Maruti Suzuki dealerships in India. The main rival will be the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos – which are developed on the same platform and offer the same drivetrains as well.
What do the new pictures tell us?
The camouflage clearly shows that
91wheels caught two heavily camouflaged SUVs testing on the roads. Codenamed as YFG by Maruti Suzuki and D22 by Toyota, the new SUVs will use the Daihatsu platform. Both the models will get the low-cost Daihatsu Global Architecture or DNGA and it is the low-cost derivate of Toyota’s TNGA.
Since the new cars developed from the ground-up and both Maruti Suzuki and Toyota were involved, they will look quite distinctive from each other. Both the vehicles will get different front-end and will be further individualised with different looking LED daytime running lamps, headlamp clusters and bumpers.
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The test mules further reveal the overall shape of the upcoming models. Both will have a strong road presence and will have a substantial footprint.
What to expect from the upcoming SUVs?
The spy pictures also give us a peek inside the cabin
Both the upcoming models will use the same powertrains. Maruti Suzuki’s 1.5-litre petrol engine only. It will be integrated into Toyota’s strong hybrid system as well. Both the cars will offer high fuel efficiency and probably will be the most fuel-efficient cars in the segment.
Toyota will manufacture the upcoming cars at its Bidadi Plant near Bangalore, Karnataka. The new SUVs will arrive this year and the prices are likely to be announced around the festive season.
Want to know about the engine details and the launch of the cars?
Do you think the new models from Toyota and Maruti Suzuki will be enough to take down the mighty Hyundai Creta? Do let us know in the comments below.
Keyword: Toyota And Maruti Suzuki’s Answer To The Creata-Seltos Onslaught