Buoyed by the success of the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Maruti Suzuki is planning a crossover/SUV onslaught. The company will launch three new crossover/SUV models by 2021, says a report from The Economic Times.
Several people familiar with the development have said that one of the three future UVs Maruti Suzuki is planning is a crossover version of the next-gen Maruti Ertiga. This Ertiga goes internally by the codename ‘Maruti YHB’, with the crossover called the 'Maruti YHB derivative'.
Suzuki had showcased crossover versions of the pre-facelift Suzuki Ertiga and facelifted Suzuki Ertiga at IIMS 2012 and GIIAS 2015 respectively but in concept form. Up to what extent the next-gen Ertiga and its crossover version will differ is unknown. While the concepts were nothing more the accessorised iterations, the production crossover may emerge with a separate identity rivalling the Honda BR-V.
The Maruti YHB twins will ride on the new Heartect platform. The new platform is lighter and stiffer than its predecessor. Maruti Suzuki has successfully tested its in-house developed 1.5L diesel engine in the Ciaz. The company may offer this engine the next-gen Ertiga and the crossover based on it. This, of course, would mean the phasing out of the D31A 1.3L DDiS 200 engine, when it is ready for deployment. Continuity of the SHVS mild-hybrid system would depend on the prevailing taxation on hybrid cars at the time of launch. It’s unknown whether the K14B 1.4L VVT petrol engine will continue, with or without an upgrade, or see a replacement.
Also Read: Next-gen Maruti Ertiga launch in August 2018
The next-gen Maruti Ertiga and the crossover based on it should have the best features Maruti Suzuki offers in its current latest models. Their equipment list will likely include LED projector headlamps with DRLs, LED rear combination lamps, electrically adjustable and retractable ORVMs, Smartplay touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, engine push start-stop button and rear AC vents. Both models should have dual airbags and ABS with EBD and BA as standard.
[Source: The Economic Times]
