Toyota and Suzuki deepened their collaborative efforts by moving into the world of EV models with a new EV SUV platform for future models in many countries.
These two automakers have collaborated many times before. The partnership began in 2016 and has only grown and evolved over the past eight years. These two automakers have business roots in the same area, Enshu, which is the western part of the Shizuoka Prefecture. Both companies changed from building looms to building cars around the same time, which means they have similar histories. Toyota has been the more successful of the two automakers, but they never left the smaller Suzuki behind.
What are some of the collaborations?
Most of us are familiar with the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ. These two models share a platform, powertrain, and several other qualities. These two companies collaborate in many areas, including creating devices to provide freedom of mobility for those who cannot move on their own. They’ve also created some fun items to enjoy, including the two small sports cars. Their partnership has also created various models through production expertise and a mutual supply of vehicles. Now, this partnership will expand into electric vehicles with a new model that should launch in Japan, India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The first EV
This new partnership-developed electric SUV is the first model of its kind from this partnership, giving the two brands a new vehicle to add to their portfolios. The electric SUV market has grown in the past few years, which means this new model will further the growth and drive toward helping create a carbon-neutral society for the brands.
Unlike other EVs, this new model was designed completely as an electric vehicle and doesn’t share a platform with any gas-powered vehicles. It should be a nimble SUV with the sharp driving characteristics of an electric vehicle. This new model should have an impressive cruising range and a comfortable cabin. It should also come with a 4WD system, which means the rough roads of the markets where it’s going will be handled well by this new off-road electric SUV.
What will each company bring to the table?
The new Toyota and Suzuki SUV is going to several markets and has been developed by these two brands and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. When discussing what each brand brings to the new development of this vehicle, the presidents of each company had this to say:
“Suzuki will supply our first BEV to Toyota globally. I am grateful that the collaboration between the two companies has further deepened in this way. While continuing to be competitors, we will deepen our collaborations toward solving social issues, including the realization of a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach.” – Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki
“By leveraging the BEV unit and platform that we jointly developed, we will take a new step in our collaboration in the field of electrified vehicles. This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide. We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.” – Koji Sato, President of Toyota
As you can see, both companies intend to use a multi-pathway approach to creating this new electric SUV.
The fun of this partnership
Toyota and Suzuki currently work together to provide the world with two impressive compact sports cars that can be a lot of fun on any road or track. The model from Toyota is the GR86, which gives you an RWD setup and 228 horsepower coming from a flat-four engine. This engine mates to a six-speed automatic transmission if you can’t drive a stick, but if you can, the six-speed manual transmission is an excellent choice, giving you the capability to shift gears on your own while driving. This little Toyota is fun to drive anywhere, easily putting a big smile on your face when you’re behind the wheel.
The near-twin model from Suzuki is the BRZ. This impressive little car is the only Suzuki in the lineup that doesn’t have standard AWD. That’s perfectly fine, this 2+2 compact sports car is a lot of fun to drive, matching the GR86 for power and performance. The cabin doesn’t isn’t too special, but it gives you the comfort and driving position desired.
Waiting to see
The new electric SUV, which is a product of the collaboration between Toyota and Suzuki isn’t slated for the American market yet. That said, it could provide the inspiration for a future EV that will become part of our driving selection in the future.
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