The YBA compact SUV will be feature loaded and will also sport a longer wheelbase than its rival Ford EcoSport in this segment. However, the overall length will remain under 4-metres for excise duty benefits.
Predominantly a hatchback maker, Maruti Suzuki has been taking that much-needed leap of faith with its new set of products which started with the recently launched Ciaz C-segment sedan. While the YRA premium hatchback will be the next major global launch from the automaker, Maruti is also working on a compact SUV codenamed ‘YBA’ that will rival the Ford EcoSport and was recently caught testing near the company’s facility in Manesar. The YBA will break cover at the 2016 Auto Expo next February and will be positioned as a value for money offering.
Keeping Maruti’s ethos in place, the new YBA compact SUV will be competitively priced in the sub Rs. 9 lakhs space with prices similar to that of a premium hatchback. Visible in the spy shots, the YBA comes with a boxy, rugged appeal with the design taking inspiration from the 2015 Vitara crossover at the front and the iV-4 concept at the rear. Compared to the EcoSport, the YBA will be wider and taller while also sporting a longer wheelbase with the overall length truncated to tuck under 4-metres. The ground clearance stands at 200 mm, same as the Ford.
Maruti will be making the YBA a feature rich proposition sporting projector lamps, LED daytime running lights, SmartPlay infotainment system from the Ciaz among others. There will be four variants on offer categorised as V, V+, Z and Z+. In terms of powertrain, the compact SUV will get the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS engine under the hood while the 1.4-litre K-Series petrol engine is also expected to be offered. Maruti could also equip the YBA with the upcoming 1.0-litre DualJet petrol engine with dual injectors per cylinder that will be making its debut on the YRA premium hatchback later this year.
The compact SUV segment has certainly grown stronger globally with more and more offerings set for launch soon. The Maruti YBA will be locking horns with a bunch of offerings including the Mahindra S101/S102, Tata Nexon, the compact SUVs from Volkswagen and General Motors among others. Stay tuned as more details are expected to emerge as we get closer to the launch.
Spy Pictures Source – Gaadiwaadi.com
