Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are planning to launch a wide range of new SUVs to take on the Korean automakers – Hyundai and Kia. The Suzuki-Toyota JV will launch 4 new SUVs with mild hybrid and strong hybrid powertrains before Diwali 2022. Adding to it, Toyota will also launch the next-gen Innova HyCross with a strong hybrid engine before the end of this financial year.
Toyota and Maruti Suzuki will launch two new sub-4 meter SUVs and two compact SUVs in the country. Maruti Suzuki will launch the new Brezza on June 27 to rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet. Toyota will also introduce the new Urban Cruiser, which will be the re-badged new Brezza. Both SUVs will be powered by a 1.5-litre K15C dual-jet petrol engine with a mild hybrid system. This engine churns out a maximum power output of 103bhp and 137Nm of torque. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic.
Toyota will introduce the new Hyryder mid-sized SUV on July 1, 2022. Toyota will also supply the new Hyryder SUV to Maruti Suzuki. MSIL will launch the re-designed SUV, which will be called the Suzuki Vitara. The new SUVs will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. The new models will be designed and developed on Toyota’s heavily localised TNGA-B or DNGA platform that underpins multiple global Toyota SUVs.
The new SUV will be produced at Toyota’s Bidadi based plant 2 in Karnataka. The new Hyryder and the Vitara will come with segment-first AWD (all-wheel drive) system. The SUVs will come with two engine options – a 1.5-litre petrol with mild hybrid and a 1.5-litre petrol with strong hybrid system. The mild hybrid system is reportedly to offer a peak power of 103PS, while the strong hybrid unit will be good for 116PS. The Vitara’s mild hybrid setup will come with two gearbox options – a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. The strong hybrid will come with the e-CVT gearbox.
The AWD system will be reserved for the mild hybrid powertrain. The strong hybrid setup will come with the self-charging and FWD (front-wheel drive) system. The entire setup will ensure better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
While Maruti and Toyota SUVs will come with mild hybrid and strong hybrid tech, Hyundai and Kia will continue to offer diesel & petrol engine options with automatic & manual gearbox options. Hyundai has recently launched the Venue facelift, which already gets over 15,000 bookings. The company will also launch the new Creta facelift in the first half of 2023. On the other hand, Kia is planning to launch the facelifted versions of the Sonet and the Seltos. In fact, the updated Kia Seltos has already been spotted testing in India as well as in Korea.
