Maruti's Electric MPV Spied Again, Reveals Stance And New Design Details
Maruti Suzuki’s second EV offering for India will be an electric MPV which is currently codenamed YMC. It will be based on the same platform as the eVitara electric SUV and will likely use the same battery packs. Of late, we have come across multiple test mule sightings of the YMC, all pointing to a fast-approaching market launch. The newest sighting shows the actual size and stance of the e-MPV and gives us a closer look at its headlamp design.
In the latest spy shots, the YMC test mule is seen driving along a narrow road. The set consists of two images, one showing the front three-quarter and the other showing the rear of the car. The car is heavily camouflaged.
Even so, we can see the presence of a closed-off EV grille at the front. The front bumper seems to have an interesting design as well and gets air vents, which feed air into the system to cool the battery pack. Since the YMC is based on a skateboard platform, the battery pack is floor-mounted.
The pictures also show the alloy wheels of the mule. They seem to be EV-spec aero-optimized wheels, similar to what you get on the eVitara. Another interesting detail is the headlamp design. The camouflage conceals most parts of it. But from whatever is visible, the headlamp cluster has a clear resemblance to that of the eVitara. Look closely and you may find the belt line familiar. It would remind you of the Grand Vitara.
The second image shows the rear section. A connected tail lamp cluster highlights the width of the vehicle. The rear bumper seems to have a chunky design and gets reflectors. We can also notice a shark-fin antenna on the vehicle.
Overall, the rear section would invoke memories of the Ertiga, but is significantly wider. That familiarity in design will likely help in positioning the YMC well as an ‘electric MPV’. Based on these spy images, we have created a few new renders showing how the YMV MPV could look like.
The production-spec YMC is expected to be around 4.5 metres in length. Since it is based on the Heartect-e platform, this electric MPV will have a flat floor and a comfortable cabin. Maruti Suzuki is expected to provide ‘couch-like comfort’ inside the YMC. The interior will also be feature heavy and could share most of its equipment with the eVitara. In that case, it is likely to come with a large touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated seats, and more.
From what is known, the electric MPV is expected to share its powertrains and battery packs with the eVitara. If so, it will get the same 49kWh and 61.1 kWh battery packs. The larger of these is claimed to deliver a range of 543km per charge on the eVitara. Even on the YMC, range figures are likely to remain comparable. The two EVs will have one big difference- the eVitara is front-wheel driven while the YMC will have a rear wheel drive (RWD) layout.
Extensive sharing of powertrains, platforms and components between these models will help Maruti Suzuki build economies of scale. This will, in turn, help in giving the YMC a competitive pricing in the market. Maruti Suzuki will manufacture the YMC at its Gujarat plant alongside the eVitara. When launched, the electric MPV will compete primarily with the Vinfast VF MPV 7, Mahindra XEV 9S, Kia Carens Clavis EV and BYD eMAX7.