Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are jointly working on new utility vehicles, small electric cars and new technologies for India as well as global markets. MSIL will help Toyota to grow in sub-10 lakh segment, while Toyota will give Suzuki products to be sold in developed nations. The JV in India is also working on a new mid-sized SUV, which will be produced at the Toyota’s Bidadi plant in Karnataka.
The new mid-sized SUV will rival the segment-leaders like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. It will be produced at Toyota’s factory from 2022 in Plant 2, which will be managed by Maruti Suzuki. The Bidadi production facitity has two plants out of which, the first one is used to develop the Innova and the Fortuner.
The mid-sized will measure around 4.3 meters in length. It is expected to be based on Toyota’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Generation Architecture), which currently underpins the Toyota Raize and the Daihatsu Rocky. This platform is the low-cost version of the TNGA platform and is designed for emerging markets.
Two different versions of the new mid-sized SUV will be produced on the same platform; however, both models will have different styling. Maruti Suzuki’s version is likely to be called the Grand Vitara and could be offered in 5-and 7-seat options. It is likely to share the styling cues from the new generation Suzuki Vitara, which will be introduced for global markets in near future.
The new mid-sized SUV is likely to be powered by a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine with a mild hybrid system. The JV is also reportedly working on a new turbocharged petrol engine, which could be offered with the mid-sized SUV. This engine is likely to be the turbo unit of the 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that powers the Swift, Baleno and the Dzire. The company could also introduce the diesel version of the SUV; however, official details are yet to be revealed.
The JV is also working on a new MPV, which will be positioned between the Ertiga and the Innova Crysta. This model will directly rival the Mahindra Marazzo and the upcoming MPVs from Kia Motors and Hyundai. Adding to it, the JV is also working on small battery electric vehicles for the Indian market.
