Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have been working together for years now. Toyota is also rebranding Maruti Suzuki cars and retailing the same in the Indian market, such as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno as the Toyota Glanza and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza as the Urban Cruiser. Both brands also in the past revealed that an SUV is under joint development. However, this new SUV will not just be a brand engineering exercise. Although the underpinnings will be shared, the SUV from both the Maruti Suzuki and Toyota will wear a different top hat. This is now evident as spy shots of a development mule emerged on the internet testing on Indian roads.
Maruti Suzuki YFG and Toyota D22 – Spied Testing India
The new SUVs from Maruti and Toyota are still under development, and the official name has not yet been revealed. However, reports in the past suggest that the Maruti Suzuki version of the SUV is internally codenamed YFG. At the same time, the Toyota version is codenamed D22. An official product name will likely b revealed soon. Both SUVs were spotted testing together close to Toyota’s Bengaluru production facility.
This also leads us to believe that Maruti Suzuki will use Toyota’s production facility to manufacture its new jointly developed SUV. Both cars are currently wrapped completely in camouflage covers, and visual details are pretty sparse. But, the SUV will come with LED DRLs, high-ground clearance, 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 215 section Apollo Apterra tyres and a progressive design language.
Maruti Suzuki YFG and Toyota D22 – Powertrain
Under the hood, both SUVs are likely to share a 1.5-litre petrol engine, and no diesel is likely to be on offer, at least at the launch. However, reports suggest that the 1.5-litre petrol powertrain is likely to be a strong hybrid and come with a large battery that will be capable of propelling the SUV on pure electric power for short distances.
Maruti Suzuki YFG and Toyota D22 – Price and Competition
The new SUV from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota is likely to come with a price tag of INR 12 to 16 lakh ex-showroom and directly compete with the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are likely to start production on the new SUV in a matter of months, and the SUVs could make their debut around the 2022 festive season.
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