All-new Ertiga is Maruti Suzuki’s next big launch for 2018 in India

Maruti will launch the all-new Ertiga MPV later this year. The MPV has been testing on Indian roads, and is expected to be launched by the end of this year, sometime close to the festive season. Like the outgoing version, the new Ertiga will be based on the Swift and Dzire’s platform, in this case HEARTECT.

Using this platform is expected to lighten the new Ertiga significantly. Expect better pick-up and fuel efficiency as a consequence. Also, Maruti is expected to launch the new Ertiga in not one, but two forms – a regular MPV and a more butch crossover MPV.

The YHA code-named vehicle will be the regular MPV, and will be launched this year. The YHB is expected to come a year later. Both MPVs will have a 7 seat layout, and are expected to share engines and transmissions. The key changes will only be in terms of styling. The YHB is also expected to be priced higher.

The all-new Ertiga is expected to debut the new turbodiesel engine that Suzuki has developed for future Maruti cars and SUVs. The petrol motor is likely to be the 1.5 liter M15A unit with 108 Bhp-138 Nm. Both manual and automatic gearboxes are expected to be offered on the petrol, while the diesel motor could get only a manual option.

The new Ertiga twins will use a monocoque body, and will be front wheel driven. In terms of interiors, we expect the new MPV to borrow heavily from the new Swift and Dzire. A beige trim is likely on the Ertiga, to convey a more premium feel.

Expect air conditioning vents for the second and third rows as well. It’s expected to pack in Maruti’s SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The Ertiga could get slightly pricier than the outgoing model but will continue to be a sub-7 lakh rupee MPV.