Around two years ago, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation signed an agreement for a capital alliance to establish and promote long-term partnership in new fields including electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous driving technology.

Both automakers will also co-develop multiple new products under this joint venture including electric cars.

Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are said to be working on a midsize SUV for launch later this year. It will compete against Hyndai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Tata Nexon and MG Astor in the highly competitive segment.

Maruti Suzuki has codenamed the electric SUV, YY8. Toyota will also sell its version of the SUV but it will have its own design.

The design language of YY8 will look futuristic and will be a big departure from current styling that looks reserved and mundane. So, we can say that Maruti Suzuki YY8 will stand out against other vehicles.

Skoda Slavia comes from the same platform of Kushaq and shares the same engine, gearbox and lot of other features.

Slavia is only available in its petrol version and the mileage claimed by ARAI is 18.07 to 19.47 kmpl.

My prediction on slavia about its success is high as it follows the same engine and features of kushaq that turned out to be a grand success already.

Slavia is a good alternative for Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.

Notable Features of Slavia over its rivals

• Design : The new SKODA SLAVIA is a testament to sleek and beautiful design. Slavia’s bold hexagonal SKODA chrome grille, LED Headlights with L-shaped DRLs & C shaped split LED tail lamps bring the attitude.

• Mileage : Comparatevely better mileage than its rivals.
• Boot : 521 litres of boot space comforts more luggage.

2022 MG EV Facelift

MG Motor is expected to launch the facelift version of its existing electric car ZS EV in February 2022.

The facelift ZS EV 2022 will see a larger battery pack and hence, a better range, as compared to the current model of ZS EV SUV. According to industry sources, the facelift SUV MG ZS EV 2022 will come with a 50kWh battery pack. It is expected to touch a range of 500 kilometres in single charge, if sources are to be believed.

The facelift ZS EV 2022 is likely to have a price tag between ₹22 lakh to ₹25 lakh (ex-showroom). It will be manufactured at its Halol factory in Gujarat.

MG Motor India had earlier quoted that it will launch new electric car between ₹10-15 lakh price bracket to fuel the mass adoption in the country. The car maker might launch it separately in the last quarter of FY22-23.

The MG ZS EV is a mid-size compact SUV that was introduced in the Indian market as the company’s first EV for the market and rivals the Hyundai Kona EV in terms of price and segment. The MG ZS EV gets a 3 Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor and a 44.5kWh battery pack that deliver 142PS of power and 353Nm of torque which propel the MG ZS EV from 0-100kmph in just 8.5 seconds (claimed). On a single charge, the MG ZS EV deliver 419km of range and can fast-charge at 50kW CCS type charging point (0-80 percent) in just 50 minutes.

Other features includes – all-wheel disc brakes, McPherson Struts up front and Torsion Beam suspension setup at the back, 215/55 R17 wheels, brake energy regeneration along an automatic electronic transmission. Features include 6 airbags, TPMS, hill assist systems, rear parking assist system, ISOFIX child seat anchor, large infotainment system with connected car features and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, LED lighting system, leather seats, panoramic sunroof, powered driver seat, etc.