Maruti Suzuki YTB is expected to make its world premiere at the 2023 Auto Expo in January before going on sale in the following months
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has been reaping the benefits of expanding its SUV portfolio and strengthening its SUV offerings with new models. The new generation Brezza compact SUV was introduced a few months ago and it has stormed to the top of the sales standings by beating its main rival Tata Nexon over the last two months as it has been well received.
The highly anticipated Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is on a roll as well by clocking more than 60,000 bookings since the official reservations opened. The midsize SUV is retailed in an expansive range and has a competitive starting price to take on Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the likes. The 1.5-litre K15C mild-hybrid petrol engine is also more fuel economical than most of its competitors.
The largest carmaker in the country also sells the five-seater with an AllGrip Select 4WD layout while the strong hybrid engine sourced from Toyota has the segment-best claimed fuel economy of close to 28 kmpl courtesy of a dedicated EV mode. Carrying on with the momentum, Maruti Suzuki is widely reported to unveil the Baleno Cross at the 2023 Auto Expo in January to garner more market share in the SUV space.
Codenamed YTB, the compact SUV appears to sit on the same Heartect platform as the Baleno premium hatchback. It has already been spotted testing several times on public roads and it takes heavy design influence from the Grand Vitara as well as Baleno but the distinctive element will be the coupe-like roofline.
It will be positioned above the Baleno and will likely share the features list with it as a nine-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera system, a heads-up display, etc could be made available.
As for the performance, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine previously found in the Baleno RS could be utilised. It could accompany the 1.2-litre petrol or the 1.5-litre petrol engine found in the Brezza and Grand Vitara with manual and automatic transmission options.