It is no secret that Toyota and Suzuki JV is preparing a new mid-sized SUV for the Indian market. The new SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the MG Astor. It was speculated to be unveiled in 2022; however, media reports suggest that the new SUV is expected to make debut in 2023.
Maruti Suzuki currently has a wide range of new products to be launched in the Indian market in the next 1 year. The company will launch the Jimny 5-door, next generation Vitara Brezza, new Alto, and the updated Ertiga and the XL6 next year. The company won’t have enough space to bring in an all-new mid-sized SUV next year.
It is expected that the new mid-sized SUV could also receive a 7-seater derivative, which will be positioned against the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar and the MG Hector Plus. The new SUV will be produced by the JV at Toyota’s Bidadi based plant. This is the same production line-up, which was used to develop the discontinued Yaris sedan.
Previous reports suggest that Maruti Suzuki is aiming to achieve top 5 star Global NCAP rating. MSIL is facing criticism for its poorly rated cars. Suzuki’s top-selling Baleno and the Swift hatchback have recently awarded Zero stars in the Latin NCAP. Most of its cars are designed and developed on the lightweight HEARTECT platform.
The new Suzuki-Toyota mid-sized SUV is expected to be based on Toyota’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Generation Architecture) that also underpins the Toyota Raize sub-compact SUV and the newly launched Avanza MPV. The new SUV is likely to get the Suzuki’s tried & tested 1.5-litre petrol engine with a stronger hybrid system. In the current form, this engine produces 104bhp and 138Nm of torque. It was reported that Suzuki is also developing a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine, which could power the new SUV. The company could also use the 1.4L Boosterjet engine that powers the global-spec Swift Sport.
Source – AutoCarIndia
