Maruti Suzuki is preparing to enter the mid-size SUV segment closer to this Diwali season. As we mentioned earlier, this will be the first production model to be offered under the joint venture between Suzuki and Toyota. Trail production of the model is reported to commence at Toyota’s Bidadi plant in Karnataka. This means that the final version of the SUV may debut in the coming months (possibly in June or July 2022). Recently, the upcoming new Maruti SUV was caught testing in Gurugram with heavy camouflage.
The test mule was spotted with ORVM-mounted cameras which indicate that it will have a 360-degree camera setup. In fact, the model will feature newly-designed, single-tone alloy wheels. Unlike the prototype seen before, the new one lacks the Baleno-inspired front grille, sleek headlamps and sleek wraparound taillamps.
Maruti Suzuki will equip its new SUV with the latest kit which may include connected car technology, a HUD (head-up display), a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and a premium audio system. Rumor has it that the new Maruti SUV may also be offered with the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) suite.
There will be no option of a diesel engine. Reports suggest that the model will come with two petrol engines with hybrid technology. One of them will be mild hybrid technology and the other will be stronger for higher power and better mileage. The hybrid powertrain is likely to come with three drive modes – pure electric, hybrid and petrol.
The upcoming Maruti and Toyota mid-sized SUVs will be designed on a localized and modified version of Toyota’s TNGA-B platform. Both the models will also share many features and components. Although their design will be different. For example, the Toyota mid-size SUV will feature a differently designed grille with lower-mounted headlamps and wraparound LED strips, a raised beltline and clear rear doors.