Despite the fact that it is late in the race, Maruti Suzuki appears to be increasing its focus on the EV category. At the upcoming 2023 Auto Expo, India’s largest automaker will unveil its first all-electric model, designated YY8. It will be the company’s hero concept in 2023, similar to how Future-S was in 2018 and Futuro-e was in 2020.
The Maruti YY8 will be manufactured at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant. The EV will be available in both home and international markets. Exports are estimated to account for around 50% of total production. The YY8 is being developed in partnership with Toyota, which plans to release its own rebadged version of the EV.
Maruti YY8 electric SUV will be available with 48 kWh and 59 kWh battery pack variants to ensure a better fit for a broader spectrum of people with various demands and preferences. The respective approved ranges are projected to be between 400 and 500 kilometres. Power output is predicted to be in the 138 to 170 horsepower range. There will be two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options available. AWD will be available for export markets, however, it is unclear whether it will be available in the domestic market.
Unlike Tata EVs, which use standard LFP cylindrical cells, the Maruti YY8 EV will use LFP blade cell batteries. BYD, a leading Chinese automobile manufacturer, will supply it. In terms of range, weight, and space utilisation, blade cell technology promises to be superior. Blade batteries can give more range since more cells can be packed into the limited space.
BYD also says that the blade battery is far safer than existing battery technologies. It passed the nail penetration test with a surface temperature range of 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. Other extreme testing includes crushing the battery, bending it, overcharging it, and heating it in a furnace. Even still, BYD asserts no fires or explosions occurred.
The Maruti YY8 electric SUV will be built on Toyota’s 40PL worldwide platform and the 27PL born-electric skateboard architecture.
Its lengthy wheelbase of roughly 2,700 mm ensures spacious interiors and enough capacity for a huge battery pack. The YY8 will have short overhangs, in accordance with EV design trends. Wheels will be put as close to the edges as feasible, allowing for greater space on the inside.
The Maruti YY8 is predicted to be over 4.2 metres long, similar to the Creta’s 4.3 metres. It would have a futuristic appearance that is unlike anything seen in the current generation of Maruti vehicles. Because there will be many competitors by 2025, Maruti will provide the YY8 with a broad set of high-tech features.
The Maruti YY8 electric SUV and its Toyota counterpart are likely to cost between Rs 13 lakh and Rs 15 lakh upon launch. At this pricing point and with so many features, the YY8 has the potential to become another Maruti bestseller. However, rivalry will heat up dramatically by 2025, as both Mahindra and Tata are developing their own electric vehicles.
This new Maruti e-SUV will compete with the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV400, and other electric SUVs currently on the market. Maruti will also display other models at the 2023 Auto Expo, including the YTB SUV (Baleno-based coupe SUV cross) and the 5-door Jimny. The WagonR flex fuel prototype will also be present.
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