Maruti Suzuki Vitara could be the name of the upcoming D-segment SUV developed with Toyota
Maruti Suzuki might name its upcoming SUV codenamed ‘YFG’ as Vitara. Also, more details of the car have emerged online. The Indo-Japanese maker is on an ambitious path to mark its name in the D-segment after failed attempts with the Grand Vitara, Kizashi, and S-Cross.
First things first, as against what we had told you all this time, the upcoming ‘Vitara’ which is being co-developed with Toyota’s upcoming Urban Cruiser Hyryder is neither built on Toyota’s low-cost DNGA platform nor on the brand’s premium TNGA-B platform.
Both the SUVs are rather built on Suzuki’s Global-C platform that currently underpins the Brezza (slated for launch soon), Ciaz, S-Cross, the new international S-Cross, and the international fourth generation Vitara.
While it was earlier confirmed that both the SUVs will get Maruti Suzuki’s recently introduced mild-hybrid K15C engine on the lower variants, the latest update is that the same K15C engine will also power the strong hybrid variants albeit with Toyota’s hybrid system.
Sources said it was Maruti Suzuki engineers who have worked on pairing the K15C with Toyota’s hybrid powertrain. With this, it’s now evident that Maruti Suzuki’s work is much more than that of Toyota in this project.
The Innova maker’s only contribution is the production of both the SUVs at its Bidadi plant and let the use of its hybrid technology for the strong hybrid variants. Even most of the suppliers are from Maruti Suzuki’s stable for both the SUVs.
In the lower mild-hybrid trims, the K15C is expected to exert the same 101.64 HP as the new Ertiga. But, in the strong hybrid variants, the motor will add 13 more horses taking the output to 114.41 HP. The system will come mated with an eCVT gearbox.
Except for the turbo petrol versions, none of the variants of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, both petrol and diesel, produce these many horses. They are marginally down on power.
Similarly, all the 1-litre turbo petrol TSI variants of the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are also marginally low on power when compared to the upcoming strong hybrid’s 114.41 HP output.
The K15C on the lower mild-hybrid trims will come mated to a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission with an option of ‘Suzuki All-wheel Drive’ system too, probably, taken from the Jimny. We believe the autobox would the same torque converter the Ertiga sports.
As per sources, the reason why the upcoming YFG could get the Vitara name is that, internationally, Suzuki is planning to axe the fourth generation Vitara and the upcoming YFG is expected to replace it.
