A new spy shot of Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming electric MPV (codenamed YMC) has revealed more details about its design. The test mule, which was caught during recent testing, shows off what we can expect the production model to look like. Although it’s still covered by heavy camo, we can now see how this will look in terms of the design. It appears to be a well balanced and practical looking multi purpose vehicle.
The electric MPV is likely to be based on a similar platform to the e Vitara SUV. This will help keep costs down and will also help Maruti Suzuki get their growing electric line-up to market sooner. Using a similar platform as the e Vitara allows them to make the most of their engineering resources and put them into making the vehicle more practical for a multi purpose vehicle.
This is common practice for car makers to help push their electric line-up forwards. The electric MPV is likely to be sold through Maruti’s premium Nexa outlet. This will mean it will sit alongside higher end models within the brand. The fact that it’s using a similar platform as the e vitara and will be sold through Nexa shows Maruti Suzuki are taking their time to build up their electric presence in India. Customers will soon be able to see both the electric SUV and MPV on display at Nexa showrooms.
The testing stage is very important to ensure the vehicle performs well in real world conditions, has good range and is durable. The test mule above allows engineers to get a better idea of the vehicle’s performance. They will be able to see how well the battery will perform in terms of heating, as well as how comfortable it is to drive and how much space there is inside. As more prototypes are seen on the road we will see more details of the design and features.
The fact that Maruti Suzuki are bringing an electric MPV to market is very significant. Multi purpose vehicles are very popular with families and commercial users. Bringing an electric version using a proven platform from the e Vitara can help alleviate range and cost issues. It will also provide the benefit of being zero emission. The latest spy shot of the test mule shows that Maruti are looking to expand their electric ambitions beyond SUV’s and into one of the most practical segments of the country.