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      2023 Maruti EVX Electric SUV Debuts – 550 Kms Range, Creta EV Rival

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      Planned for launch in early 2025, Maruti’s first all-electric SUV is expected to offer range of around 500 km2023 Maruti EVX Electric SUVEV segment in the country is transforming at a fast pace, with several new launches planned for this year. Before born-electric cars become the mainstay, OEMs like Tata and Mahindra are busy launching electric versions of their bestselling ICE-based models. These affordable EVs are helping meet the rising demand for electric cars in the country.Maruti’s strategy seems a bit different, as it will start its EV journey with a born-electric car. Maruti’s first all-electric SUV will debut in early 2025. Till then, Maruti will continue to focus on petrol, hybrid and CNG powertrains. By 2025, other homegrown carmakers are also expected to launch their born-electric range.2023 Maruti EVX Electric SUVMaruti has always been associated with affordability and that USP won’t be lost with its born-electric cars. A balanced approach is likely in terms of features, range and pricing. 2023 Maruti EVX Electric SUV range is 550 kms with a 60 kWh battery pack, which is kind of a sweet spot in terms of alleviating range anxiety. Higher range won’t even be necessary in future, owing to improved charging infrastructure and ultra-fast charging options.For folks with limited budget, Maruti could also introduce a more affordable version of EVX. It will have lesser range of around 400 km. While the top-spec variant will have a 60-kWh battery pack, the affordable variant could be equipped with a 48-kWh unit. Maruti will be sourcing the battery packs from BYD. These will be utilizing LFP blade cell batteries that are claimed to be better in terms of range, power-to-weight ratio and safety. Maruti also announced INR 100 billion investment committed by Suzuki Motor Corporation for production of BEVs and batteries in India.2023 Maruti EVX Electric SUVSpeaking about dimensions, Maruti EVX electric SUV is 4300 mm long, 1800 mm wide, and 1600 mm tall. This makes it a rival to upcoming Hyundai Creta EV. While performance numbers have not been revealed officially, new Maruti electric SUV could deliver power output of around 138-170 hp. Both two-wheel and all-wheel drive variants will be manufactured at Suzuki’s plant in Gujarat. However, it is not certain if all-wheel drive option will be available in India. Around half of the production of EVX will be meant for overseas markets.Futuristic design, spacious interiorsIn line with evolving consumer preferences, Maruti will be utilizing an entirely new design philosophy for its EVX electric SUV and other born-electric cars. It will help compete with rivals like Tata and Mahindra, whose born-electric range will be just as radical and extravagant. A significant percentage of customers will be young buyers, which is where the innovation in design becomes more relevant. Aerodynamics will be a key focus area, as it will not only enhance the looks but also boost overall range.With its born-electric platform, interiors are expected to be a lot more spacious in comparison to a similar sized ICE-based SUV like Creta. Maruti EVX will be based on the 27PL platform, which is a tweaked version of Toyota’s 40PL global platform. Toyota will have its own version of the YY8 SUV.New Maruti EVX electric SUV is expected to be launched in the price range of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. By 2025, it will have a lot of rivals to deal with. With affordable pricing and comprehensive range of features, Maruti EVX could emerge as one of India’s bestselling born-electric SUVs. More

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      Maruti Electric SUV To Rival Tata Nexon EV – Up To 500 Km Range

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      Expected to be launched in early 2025, Maruti EV will take on upcoming EVs from Tata Motors and MahindraImage for illustration. Credit – Power RacerAlthough late in the race, Maruti Suzuki appears to be finally stepping-up focus in EV segment. India’s largest carmaker will reveal its first all-electric model, codenamed YY8, at upcoming 2023 Auto Expo. It will be the company’s hero concept for 2023, on the same lines as Future-S was in 2018 and Futuro-e in 2020.Maruti YY8 will be manufactured at Suzuki’s production facility in Gujarat. The EV will cater to domestic as well as international markets. Around 50% of the production is expected to be allocated for exports. YY8 is being developed in collaboration with Toyota that is likely to launch its own rebadged version of the EV.Maruti YY8 electric SUV range, specsTo ensure a better fit for a broader segment of users with varying needs and preferences, Maruti YY8 electric SUV will be offered with 48 kWh and 59 kWh battery pack options. Respective certified range is expected to be around 400 km and 500 km. Power output is expected in the range of 138 hp to 170 hp. Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive option will be available. AWD will be available for export markets, but not certain if it will be offered in domestic market.As compared to Tata EVs that use conventional LFP cylindrical cells, Maruti YY8 EV will be using LFP blade cell batteries. It will be sourced from BYD, a leading China-based automotive manufacturer. Blade cell technology claims to be superior, in terms of its range, weight and space utilization. As more cells can be packed within the available space, blade battery can deliver higher range.Maruti Suzuki Gujarat PlantBYD also claims blade battery to be a lot safer than other battery technologies. It has passed the nail penetration test, with surface temperature being limited to 30 to 60° Celsius. Other extreme tests have also been performed such as crushing the battery, bending it, overcharging it and heating it in a furnace. Even then, BYD claims no fire or explosions were recorded.Focus on spacious interiorsMaruti YY8 electric SUV will be based on the 27PL born-electric skateboard architecture, which is derived from Toyota’s 40PL global platform. Its long wheelbase of around 2,700 mm will ensure spacious interiors and ample room to accommodate a large battery pack. YY8 will have short overhangs, in line with design trends seen in EV segment. Wheels will be placed towards the edges, as far as possible, which will allow for more space on the inside.It is expected that Maruti YY8 will be over 4.2 meters long, which is close to Creta’s 4.3 meters. It will have a futuristic design, unlike anything imaginable with the current breed of Maruti cars. As there will be quite a few rivals by 2025, Maruti will ensure that YY8 is equipped with a comprehensive range of hi-tech features.Launch price of Maruti YY8 electric SUV and its Toyota version is expected to be in the range of Rs 13 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. At this price point and loaded with features, YY8 has potential to emerge as another Maruti bestseller. However, competition will intensify significantly by 2025, as both Mahindra and Tata are working on their born-electric range.From the current set of electric SUVs, this new Maruti e-SUV will rival the likes of Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV400, etc. At 2023 Auto Expo, Maruti will also showcase other products such as YTB SUV (Baleno based coupe SUV cross) and the 5-door Jimny. WagonR’s flex fuel prototype will also be in attendance. More

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      Maruti Omni Electric Van Future MPV – Render In New Colours

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      With a highly modular compact electric architecture, an Omni EV is technically feasibleMaruti Omni Electric Van Future MPV – RenderThe paradigm shift towards e-mobility could be a rare but wonderful opportunity for the OEMs to clean their slate and start afresh. This means an ailing automaker could execute a course correction and bounce back.Iconic automotive nameplates that are long forgotten could be totally reinvented with a modern take. Maybe, and we say only maybe, small cars, sedans and minivans could become cool again by overcoming the contagious crossover fever!Maruti Omni Electric VanIf at all there is an Indian automotive icon we would love to see in a neo-classic electric avatar, it is the Maruti Omni. Such was the popularity of the versatile and affordable minivan that it enjoyed considerable demand until the very last day. As most of you know, Maruti had to put the Omni down as it was nowhere close to meeting the new mandatory safety regulations.Now that a highly modular electric platform is pretty much the way the whole automotive world is heading, a Maruti Omni EV based on a future-ready Suzuki compact car architecture is technically feasible. It all depends on whether the company wants to do it or not. Anyway, we thought we would envision a funky Omni EV and leave it out there for you to ogle at (and summon the power of collective desire!).Maruti Omni Electric Van Future MPV – RenderOur rendering specialist Pratyush Rout started out by retaining everything that made the original Omni an astounding success – compact footprint, boxy shape, and the quintessential sliding rear doors. And as you can see, the Omni’s core design effortlessly adopts modern elements like LED lighting and aero-friendly features such as flush door handles, rear-view cameras and low-drag wheels.A simple and uncluttered dashboard with a generously proportioned infotainment display would make this hypothetical Maruti Omni EV a compelling urban mobility solution. There is no reason why the original minivan’s 8-seat configuration could not be retained. With a range of around 300 to 400 km, the electric people carrier would be immensely popular in rural and urban markets alike.Maruti’s EV gameplanThat said, Maruti Suzuki is not in any hurry to kick-start its electric era. Citing lack of infrastructure and support from the government in promoting e-mobility, the automaker has shelved its electric Wagon-R project which is initially touted to be ready for 2020. At least for the next 3-4 years, Maruti is likely to focus on its CNG and hybrid powered lineup, even if its rivals turn their focus towards electric vehicles.We think even if Maruti forgoes first-mover advantage in the compact electric vehicle market in India, it will still take a monumental effort by the competitors to breach the fort. And in the process of trying, they are likely to make the market conducive, only for Maruti to sweep in and retake control! More

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      Maruti Jimny Electric SUV Imagined As A Render – Up To 400 Kms Range

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      A fully electric Maruti Jimny is still a distant dream – We might have to wait for next gen version, before Jimny goes ElectricMaruti Jimny Electric SUV Render by SRK DesignsSuzuki Jimny has a very large fan base across the globe, including India. The cute little SUV, contrary to its miniature size, is a very competent off-roading vehicle. Its launch in India has been speculated for a long time, but it could take a while before we actually get a taste of the compact off-roader on Indian roads.Meanwhile, the boxy SUV has been digitally imagined as an electric SUV. This digital rendering has been created by SRK Designs and a video of the same has been uploaded on YouTube. As seen in the video, the pint-sized SUV undergoes a lot of changes on its skin giving it a completely different look.Maruti Jimny Electric SUV RenderFor starters, the rendered SUV gets a front fascia which features twin LED bars on both sides instead of the conventional circular retro-shaped halogen headlamps. A horizontal closed-off grille has replaced the signature vertical five-slatted grille while retaining the Maruti Suzuki logo at the centre.The front bumper has been reprofiled and now sports a redesigned skid plate and vertical LED elements on both sides of the bumper. Side profile remains more or less similar to the 3-door Jimny seen in international markets which feature flared wheel arches and a distinct character line running across its shoulder.[embedded content][embedded content]Alloy wheel designs are different with blacked-out machine-cut units making the SUV look even more premium. The flat roof and wing mirrors have been given a grey colour that provides a nice contrast to the overall styling. Range could be in the region of 300-400 kms on full charge.As much as we would love to see a similar fully electric version of Jimny reach production, there are no plans by the Japanese carmaker to electrify this compact off-roader. In fact, it doesn’t even feature a fully hybrid powertrain. But with the automotive world going electric, there is a possibility to see a Maruti Jimny Electric on the road. Upon launch, it might not have any rivals – unless Mahindra decides to launch Thar Electric.5-door Jimny DetailsMaruti is currently developing a new 5-door version of Jimny with a longer wheelbase. This version of the compact off-roader will be introduced in India and other international markets as well. Currently, the three-door version of Jimny is being manufactured at the company’s Gurgaon-based facility for export purposes only.The five-door Jimny is expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine that produces 104 bhp and 138 Nm of peak torque. This unit should be paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox with the option of an automatic gearbox also likely to be available. International markets could receive a more powerful 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol engine with a mild-hybrid tech dishing out 128 bhp and 235 Nm of peak torque. A 4×4 drivetrain along with a low-range transfer car will also be offered as standard. Expect it to make its debut sometime next year. More

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      Maruti YY8 Electric SUV Launch Plan 2024 – 1.5 Lakh Production Target (Scoop)

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      Render for reference. Credit – Mightyseed DesignsMaruti YY8 will be made at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant and will also spawn a Toyota derivativeMaruti has been running several test mules of Japan-spec WagonR electric all over the country for a while now. It was initially expected that the country’s leading automaker will foray into EV space with its popular econo-hatchback, however, we have learnt that Maruti’s debut electric vehicle is going to be a mass market mini SUV.Maruti YY8 Electric SUVMaruti has green lighted a new electric SUV project, codenamed YY8. Information about the upcoming Maruti YY8 (codename) is scarce as of now but it will adopt an SUV-ish body with compact footprints. We expect it to compete with the future EV variant of the brisk selling Tata Punch.While technical specifications are still under wraps, the Maruti YY8 electric crossover will benefit from Suzuki’s partnership with Toyota. This would mean, the vehicle in question will also be sold with Toyota branding both in India and in select overseas markets.Touted to be ready for the market sometime in 2024 (with a possible debut at the Auto Expo), the electric mini SUV from Maruti will be manufactured at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant. It looks like both Maruti and Toyota have aggressive sales targets for this vehicle, as the expected production target per year is 1.5 lakh units.Render for reference, by Rajshekhar DassClearly, the OEMs are betting on accelerated EV adoption in the country, facilitated by current and future incentives from state and central governments. The charging infrastructure across the country is also expected to grow at a strong pace in the coming years.Maruti Electric SUV ArchitectureWith Suzuki’s lightweight Heartect and Toyota’s DNGA at disposal, it is unclear which architecture will the Maruti YY8 adopt. Both platforms are versatile and EV compatible. The Heartect is already heavily localized in India with a well established supply chain apparatus, making for a short time-to-market.On the other hand, Toyota’s DNGA has a better benefit due to economies of scale on a global level. This architecture is likely to be the basis of upcoming Toyota / Maruti SUV to rival Hyundai Creta. If that is the case, it implies that Toyota has already managed to localize this architecture to meet mass-market price targets in India.We expect the electric mini SUV to be priced under INR 10 lakhs. Drive range of around 250-350 kms should be a good place to start for an entry-level EV in India. The lithium-ion battery is most likely to be sourced locally from the Toshiba facility which is also located in Gujarat. All major OEMs are working intensely on their respective mass-market electric vehicles for India and we expect to see an avalanche of new launches as we approach the middle part of this decade. More

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      Maruti Ignis Electric Conversion Kit Launched By Northway – 240 Kms Range

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      Maruti Ignis Electric Conversion KitPune based Northway has launched Maruti Ignis Electric conversion kit – Total cost will be cheaper than top selling Tata Nexon EV
      A leading name in EV R&D and EV conversion kits, Pune-based Northway has launched EV conversion kit for Maruti Ignis. The model used for this project is 2022 Ignis Alpha MT variant. Total cost of the kit and the car comes to Rs 12.5 lakh for standard range (120 kms) kit and Rs 14.5 lakh for long range (240 kms) kit.
      The conversion kit will be available for Ignis MT 2021 and later models. Northway also offers electric conversion kits for other vehicles such as Swift Dzire and Tata Ace.
      Maruti Ignis electric with manual transmission
      When talking about electric cars, it’s difficult to imagine that it will have anything but automatic transmission. However, folks at Northway have dared to stray away from established industry standards. Their pre-convert Maruti Ignis Electric has been equipped with manual transmission, which offers multiple benefits.
      In real-world conditions, Ignis EV with manual transmission can supply extra torque whenever needed. This can come handy in situations like heavy traffic when one needs to accelerate fast from stop position. Take a look at the first drive experience shared by Northway in the video below.
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      It can also be useful while overtaking another vehicle, especially when the car is climbing a slope. Ignis EV with manual transmission will also appeal to folks who just love the experience of shifting gears.
      Another benefit is that the manual transmission can supply braking power. For this, users just need to shift to lower gears such as second gear. This in turn will recharge the battery via the regenerative braking system installed in the car. In traffic conditions and during downhill journeys in mountainous regions, using the lower gears as braking aid can provide tangible improvements in range.
      Maruti Ignis Electric also meets the needs of folks who prefer automatic transmission. Although the car has manual transmission, there is no compulsion that users will have to change gears every time they want to accelerate. For an automatic experience, users just need to use the car in top gears like third and fourth gear. In this way, the car will function similar to an automatic electric car.
      While testing Maruti Ignis Electric kit, Tesla was spotted
      Maruti Ignis Electric – range and specs
      Pre-convert Maruti Suzuki Ignis EV is available with two battery configurations. With Drive CT, max range is 120 km. This can work for folks who plan to use the car only for city-specific commutes.
      Users looking for longer range can choose Inter CT, which offers 240 km. Top speed of the car is rated at 140 kmph. It generates 170 Nm of max torque. The car can be charged at home or any of the available charging stations. Charging time is in the range of 3-7 hours.
      Key things to note here is that OEM warranty will be void once the car is converted to electric. For the conversion kit, the warranty is 60,000 km or 2 years, whichever is earlier. The converted car is street-legal, as all the necessary approvals and documents will be provided by RTO. However, users won’t be eligible for any subsidies, as there are currently no such rules for EV retro fit kits. More

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      Maruti Electric Car Launch Not Before 2025 – Focus On CNG, Flex Fuel Engines

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      Maruti 800 Next Gen Render by Rajshekhar DassMaruti Suzuki will concentrate on vehicles running on alternative fuels such as CNG and ethanol rather than pure EVs
      India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, is not ready to dive into the electric mobility space yet. This was confirmed by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) Chairman, RC Bhargava while addressing a virtual conference on the company’s second-quarter earnings.
      Bhargava revealed that an exact timeline for launch of the carmaker’s first electric car will be decided by parent company Suzuki Motor in Japan. It was further notified that this will happen only after 2025 as demand for such vehicles is less at the moment. The company intends to sell at least 10,000 units of electric vehicles (EVs) a month whenever it enters the electric mobility space.
      It was also revealed that under the current circumstances a lot of things in the EV ecosystem such as batteries, charging infrastructure and electric supply are done by other parties and therefore the costing is not in the hands of the manufacturer. As of now, Tata Motors is the leading OEM of EVs in the passenger vehicle segment which sold over 2,000 units in the second quarter of FY2022.
      Maruti Electric Car Launch 2025
      For Maruti to venture into the EV space, it wishes to sell at least 100,000 units per year which translates to over 8,000 units per month on average. The carmaker further stated that launching an EV would depend on current market conditions which makes it difficult to predict the pricing of electric vehicles, batteries and how infrastructure is built up.
      Maruti Omni Next Gen – Render by Shashank Shekhar
      Maruti had started testing a fully electric version of WagonR in 2019 with a vision to launch it by 2020. However, things fell apart as the company decided against a commercial launch for personal usage citing a lack of infrastructure and government support. Recently, the government has introduced several production-linked incentives (PLI) for EVs which would encourage OEMs to manufacture EVs.
      This makes it clear that Maruti isn’t looking to gain the first mover’s advantage in the EV space and instead is waiting for consumer demand for EVs to rise. While EVs only make up a fraction of total automobile sales in India, the space has witnessed substantial growth in recent months, thanks to the revised FAME II policies and incentives by various state governments.
      Other Power Options
      With soaring fuel prices in recent months, automakers have shifted their focus towards alternate fuels, the most common of them all being CNG. Subsequently, demand for CNG vehicles has increased in recent times and Maruti aims to offer a CNG option for its models sold under Arena chain of dealerships. The company revealed that out of over 2 lakh current pending orders, majority are for CNG models.
      Government of India is also pushing towards flex-fuel engines which could run on multiple fuels like ethanol. The company revealed that it is working towards development of such vehicles for the future. Recently, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government would make flex-fuel engines mandatory for all manufacturers, once it gets permission from Supreme Court. More

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      Maruti Dzire Electric Kit Price Rs 5 Lakh – Launched By Northway Motorsport

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      Maruti Dzire EV Conversion KitPune based Northway Motorsport has officially launched their EV conversion kit for Maruti Dzire and Tata Ace
      Electric vehicles (EVs) will replace conventional automobiles powered by internal combustion engines in the long run. The transition process has already begun and gathered pace over the recent past. However, battery-powered vehicles currently form a very small portion of total mobility solutions in India.
      In order to bring down emission levels, many pre-existing vehicles will have to be converted to electric power sources in the near future. However, limitation of such EV conversion kits has been a hindrance up until now. Pune-based Northway Motorsport has launched EV conversion kits for both passenger and commercial vehicles.
      Maruti Dzire EV Conversion Kit
      These are plug and play kits, says the maker. You don’t need to change anything else, except for removing the petrol engine from the Dzire, and install the EV kit. It uses the same mounting points as the petrol engine. The functionalities of other features like instrument console, AC, audio system, or even the manual transmission – all remains unaffected by this EV kit installation.
      Conversion kit for Dzire
      For Dzire, the firm has launched two separate conversion kits- Drive EZ and Travel EZ meant city and long-distance commutes. Both kits offer a single-charge range of 120 km and 250 km respectively.
      Maruti Dzire EV Conversion Kit
      While Drive EZ gets a charging time of 5-6 hours, charging time for Travel EZ is rated at 8-10 hours. Top speeds have been limited to 80 kmph for commercial purposes and 140 kmph for private usage.
      Maruti Dzire Electric Conversion Kit
      Bookings for Drive EZ range has commenced at a token amount of Rs 25,000 with the final price of the conversion kit to be pegged around Rs 5-6 lakh. Bookings for Travel EZ range are expected to commence soon.
      Conversion Kit for Ace
      Northway Motorsport has launched two conversion kits each for Maruti Dzire and Tata Ace. Starting with the commercial vehicle, there are two ranges of conversion kits on offer with Ace- Shaandaar and Damdaar, the latter offering a higher range on a single charge although no specific details of a battery pack or electric motor are available. The Shaandaar EV conversion kit offers a range of 80-100km and is primarily designed for intra-city commutes.
      Tata Ace EV Conversion Kit
      Specifications of a battery pack or electric motor are not known as of now. Standard charging time is pegged at five to six hours for a full range while express charging time is rated at two hours. Top speed for private use is capped at 100 kmph while that for commercial usage has been limited to 80 kmph. The Damdaar range offers a higher battery capacity paired to a similar motor which offers a range of 160-190 kms on a single charge.
      The standard charging time for Damdaar battery pack is six to eight hours whereas express charging time is rated at two hours. As of now, only the Shaandaar range is available for order. Interested consumers can book the consumer kit at a token amount of Rs 25,000 whereas the final cost of the conversion kit is slated to lie between Rs 4.5-5.0 lakh.
      Tata Ace and Maruti Dzire Electric Conversion Kit launched
      Service And Network
      Northway Motorsport has partnered with Bhartiya EV or BEV to setup charging infrastructure as well as service points across India. In the first phase, the company aims to setup the dealer and charging network across Maharashtra. This is expected to be done in the coming 3-7 months. Post that the company will expand to other cities of India.
      Though they will open dealers and service outlets, Northway Motorsport claims that users could still visit their OEM dealerships for parts and regular service. However, it remains to be seen if Maruti or Tata authorized dealers will provide spares and service to such converted vehicles. More