Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, is ready to foray into the electric car segment in the next couple of years. The first EV from the Indo-Japanese automaker will be a mid-size SUV that will be developed under Suzuki-Toyota joint venture. Codenamed ‘YY8’, the upcoming Maruti electric SUV is reported to hit roads near around 2024 festive season. According to a fresh media report, the company has released RFQs (Request for Quotation) for suppliers’ pricing on the requested services.
The new Maruti electric SUV (YY8) will be developed by the brand’s Japan-based team and it’s reported to be benchmark against the globally sold Nissan Leaf and Peugeot e2008 EVs. It’s expected to measure around 4.2 metre in length and have wheelbase around 2,700mm. The electric car will underpin the 27PL skateboard architecture that will be derived from Toyota’s global 40PL platform. The longer wheelbase and skateboard platform will help the carmaker with optimal battery packs packaging and weight distribution.
Interestingly, the upcoming Maruti EV will come with both 2WD and 4WD drivetrain options. The 2WD version might have a 48kWh battery pack and a single 138bhp motor. It’s expected to deliver a range around 400km. The 4WD variant, on the other hand, will have two electric motors and a bigger 59kWh battery pack. Its combined power output will stand at 170bhp and the range will be around 500km. As of now, there is no clarity whether the SUV’s AWD version will be introduced in the Indian market or it will be reserved for exports. Read – 2 New Maruti SUVs Might Debut At 2023 Auto Expo
The Indo-Japanese automaker will source battery packs from TDSG, which is India’s first lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Gujarat. It’s setup jointly between Toshiba Corporation, DENSO Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation to manufacture and supply lithium-ion battery. If reports are to be believed, the carmaker aims to achieve pricing between Rs 13 lakh – Rs 15 lakh for its new electric SUV. Here it could be put up against the MG ZS EV.