In real world conditions it could deliver a range of up to 500km.
Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are jointly working on an electric mid-size SUV that will arrive in 2025.
Codenamed YY8, it will be manufactured in Suzuki’s Gujarat plant to be exported to global markets.
This could be the much needed opportunity for Maruti Suzuki to finally crack the Indian EV market.
Contents
Design, Platform, Cabin
It is likely to get a futuristic design which is a departure from the company’s existing IC engine powered vehicles.
It will be built on a skateboard 27PL platform derived from Toyota’s 40PL global architecture.
The latter lacks an engine compartment, transmission tunnel and centre console which should free up ample cabin space.
Among The Biggest EVs, Larger Than Creta
The new EV will have a 2,700mm long wheelbase with length, width and height of 4275 mm, 1880 mm and 1640 mm respectively.
This makes it bigger than the Creta which measures 4300 mm in length, 1790 mm in width and 1620-1635 mm in height.
Size-wise it will match the MG ZS EV which is the largest among the current mainstream EVs.
Battery, Power, Range
The YY8 may be offered with 2WD (two-wheel drive) and AWD (all-wheel drive) configurations.
The 2WD system will be available on the entry-level variants.
- 2WD System
It will run on a 48kWh battery pack and a 138bhp electric motor.
Under standard test conditions it provides a range of 400km.
- AWD System
Meanwhile the 4WD variant will come with a bigger 59kWh battery pack.
It will also feature two electric motors delivering a combined power of 170bhp.
In real world conditions it could deliver a range of up to 500km.
Localization Driving Down Costs
According to reports the battery pack may be sourced from TDSG – the joint venture between Suzuki Motor Corp, Toshiba Corp and Denso Corp.
The large-scale battery manufacturing JV is set up in Gujarat to locally manufacture lithium-ion battery packs.
The price may lie in the range of Rs 13 – Rs 15 lakh due to high level of localization which significantly brings down the cost of the battery pack, which is the most expensive component of an EV.
This makes it more affordable than India’s top-selling electric car – Tata Nexon EV which costs between Rs 14.29 lakh to Rs 16.90 lakh.
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