Maruti Suzuki’s senior executive director, Shashank Srivastava has confirmed the launch of a new mid-size SUV on July 20th . He also confirmed the availability of strong and mild hybrid variants for this vehicle. This mid-size SUV is expected to have been developed collaboratively by Toyota and Maruti, and is basically a sister car to the recently launched Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The car is likely to resurrect the Vitara badging, which already exists in international markets. However, it will have distinct styling and designs from the new Brezza (formerly Vitara Brezza) but will share a platform and mechanicals similar to the Hyryder. The Maruti SUV will also be launched as a global model, just like the Hyryder, to be exported multiple countries including European and African markets. In india, it will be sold only from Nexa outlets.
Engine and Powertrain
There will be two variants available, sporting strong and mild hybrid petrol engines. The mild hybrid variant will be powered by a 4-cylinder 1.5L K-series engine producing around 102 hp of power and 137Nm of torque. This ill be driven by a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. All Wheel Drive (AWD) options will be vailable on this variant. The strong hybrid variant will be powered by a 3-cylinder 1.5L engine made by Toyota, long with an electric motor and a Li-Ion Battery pack, which will collectively produce around 116 hp of power. This variant will be drive by an E-drive automatic transmission only.
The Hybrid will be the same as the Toyota Hyryder allowing the drive to be solely on electric power for good fuel efficiency. Maruti has longed mulled over entering the C-SUV segment. It has dominated the compact-SUV (B-SUV) segment with the Vitara Brezza (now Brezza), and now looks to enter the mid-size SUV market, competing with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Sonet, MG Astor, Nissan Kicks, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. The prices will be revealed at the launch itself along with bookings and mass-scale production is expected to start from August.
