In August 2019, Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation signed an agreement for a capital alliance to establish and promote long-term partnership in new fields including autonomous driving and electric vehicle (EV) technology. Under this joint venture, both automakers will co-develop multiple new products for the Indian market. The first model to roll out under the collaboration will be a mid-size SUV that will challenge Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor.
Both companies have been working on the new mid-size SUV for over a year. According to a fresh report, the new Maruti Toyota SUV is getting the final finishing touches and is likely to arrive by the second half of 2022. Toyota’s Bidadi based plant in Karnataka will serve as production hub for the new SUV. It’s likely to measure around 4.3 meters in length and could be based on Toyota’s new low-cost DNGA (Daihatsu New Generation Architecture) platform.
The DNGA, which is especially designed for the emerging markets, is a modular platform that already underpins multiple Daihatsu cars. It’s claimed to support electric powertrain, autonomous driving technology and advanced connectivity features. Earlier, the new Maruti Toyota SUV was rumoured to be designed on Suzuki’s C-platform that underpins the global-spec Suzuki Vitara SUV.
It would be quite early to comment on its engines. Though, the new Maruti Toyota SUV is reported to come with the Suzuki’s 1.5L petrol engine paired to a stronger hybrid technology. The gasoline motor pushes out a peak power of 104bhp and 138Nm of torque. Suzuki’s new 1.2L turbo petrol and Swift Sport’s 1.4L Boosterjet engines might also be offered. Read – Toyota-Maruti JV Developing A New Crossover Above Vitara Brezza
The mid-size SUV will have two versions – one for Maruti Suzuki and one for Toyota. In terms of designs and features, both models will be different. Though, their body panels and components will be similar. More details on the upcoming new SUV developed under Maruti-Toyota partnership are likely to be revealed in near future. Stay tuned to IndiaCarNews.
