The interiors of the upcoming Maruti Suzuki midsize SUV, YFG, have been spied, look inspired from Toyota RAV4
The interiors of the upcoming first hybrid car from Maruti Suzuki codenamed YFG have been spied for the first time and they reveal some crucial bits about how the midsize SUV is gonna look on the inside.
Being a joint exercise of Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, the YFG also has its sibling codenamed D22 which is Toyota’s version of the same SUV. The trial production of the both the cars began last month and now they are extensively on tests on our roads heavily camouflaged.
Though the project is a joint venture, production of both the SUVs will take place at Toyota’s Bidadi plant with majority of suppliers from Maruti Suzuki’s stable. The latter will also aide in the manufacturing process.
Coming to the spied interiors, they look inspired from Toyota’s RAV4. The free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, the central AC vents below the infotainment system, and the trapezoidal side AC vents look like that of the RAV4.
The flat-bottom steering, however, is from the regular Maruti Suzuki cars. It gets the buttons for the music system, calling, and cruise control. The instrument console features a completely new display with various details that are not seen on other Maruti Suzuki cars.
What makes the D22 and YFG different from their rivals is their new hybrid powertrain which, reportedly, is Toyota’s Self Charging Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV) technology that’s already doing duties on the Camry and Vellfire.
In fact, Toyota has already started its ‘Hum Hai Hybrid’ campaign to promote the technology before it hits the mainstream market with the launch the D22 followed by Innova Hycross and many other products.
The spied interiors have the blue power button which indicates that the SUV gets a strong hybrid powertrain. The YFG sports a silhouette similar to that of the S-Cross with a chrome strip on the bonnet lip, separately positioned drls, and new alloy wheel design.
The SUV could get a 9-inch Smartplay Pro+ touchscreen infotainment system that debuted on the new Baleno. The dashboard also has the dedicated Heads-up display (HUD) button. In addition, the SUV could get front ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, leatherette upholstery, connected car tech, and idle start/stop.
With the commencement of trial production, the showcase of the SUVs from both the brands will happen 1 after another by around July with launch happening thereafter.
So far, Toyota got immensely benefitted from its partnership with Maruti Suzuki as its version of the Baleno and Vitara Brezza, Glanza and Urban Cruiser are doing good. This time Maruti Suzuki is expected to benefit from the partnership.
The SUVs are built on Toyota’s low-cost DNGA platform that does duties on many Toyota and Daihatsu cars abroad. The car will be completely localised for keeping costs low. It’s expected to undercut the Creta and Seltos thereby taking a major chunk of their sales.
Still it must be seen how the market accepts a no-diesel car as the upcoming D22 and YFG won’t feature a diesel heart.
The SUVs are expected to be powered by 2 1.5-litre petrol engines, each with a hybrid drive unit. While the first might get a mild hybrid, the second will be a stronger system, delivering higher power and better mileage.
