In Milan, Italy, Suzuki’s first battery-electric car breaks cover. Known as the Suzuki e Vitara, it will be produced in India but sold all around the world, including in India.
Today in Milan, the Suzuki e Vitara was unveiled as the Maruti eVX concept’s manufacturing variant. As the Japanese brand’s first electric vehicle for India, the “born-electric” midsize SUV will join a fiercely competitive market that also includes the Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, the impending Hyundai Creta EV, and the Mahindra BE 05.
The e Vitara is poised to become a global flagship for Suzuki, manufactured at the brand’s Gujarat plant. With 50 percent of production designated for export to Japan and Europe, it’s no surprise that the vehicle made its global debut in Italy, rather than India. However, the e-Vitara will initially be available in India in March 2025, following its introduction at the Bharat Mobility Show in January 2025, in New Delhi. This will be preceded by a European launch, expected around June 2025.
Suzuki e Vitara Design :
It’s remarkable how closely the production-ready e Vitara resembles both versions of the eVX concept, first unveiled at the Auto Expo in January 2023, and the second at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023. This is particularly surprising considering Suzuki’s generally conservative design approach.
Some of the more pronounced angles and cuts have been smoothed out, yet the robust physique of the bodywork remains intact. A significant aspect of this is the extensive application of dark cladding at the vehicle’s base, which effectively conveys the desired rugged appearance. Unlike some BEVs, the e-Vitara’s traditional two-box design seems to have been shaped more by practicality than aerodynamics, suggesting it could equally function well on an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
The details that emerge from the concepts include the tri-slash LED daytime running lights at the front and rear, charging ports on the front flanks, and a prominent bulge over the rear wheel arch. The wheel size of the e Vitara increases to a chunky 225/50 R19 on the AWD version, with more modest models featuring 18-inch alloys. Interestingly, the rear door handle has been relocated to the C-pillar, reminiscent of the design seen in the old Swift.
The dimensions of the vehicle, measuring 4,275mm in length, 1,800mm in width, and 1,635mm in height, remain consistent with previous reports, accurately aligning with models such as the Hyundai Creta EV. What’s particularly intriguing is its 2,700mm wheelbase, which surpasses that of the Creta, designed to accommodate a substantial battery pack. This also suggests a roomy interior for this newly introduced electric vehicle.
The e-Vitara boasts a ground clearance of 180mm, which is high enough to accommodate most Indian road conditions. Additionally, the curb weight ranges from 1,702kg to 1,899kg across its variants. Given its size and the large battery pack, this weight is not overly burdensome.
Suzuki e Vitara Battery & Range :
The Suzuki e Vitara (codename: YY8) is not derived from any existing model but is constructed on a completely new skateboard platform named Heartect-e. The company asserts that this platform merges the advanced characteristics of an electric vehicle (BEV) with the sturdiness of an SUV. It features what Suzuki refers to as eAxles, which integrate the motor and inverter.
This all-new ‘skateboard’ or dedicated EV platform (codename: 40PL) was jointly developed with Toyota and is set to spawn a sister SUV from the allied Japanese brand, which could be revealed later in 2025.
The Suzuki e Vitara will be available in two battery capacity options: 49kWh and 61kWh. The higher capacity model will feature an optional dual-motor AWD system, named AllGrip-e by Suzuki. These batteries are equipped with LFP (Lithium Iron-phosphate) ‘blade’ cells, produced by a Chinese battery giant, BYD. Unlike many domestic electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers who import only the battery cells for local assembly, Maruti Suzuki has decided to import the entire battery pack from BYD, opting not to assemble it in-house.
The AllGrip-e system integrated into the AWD model features a Trail mode. In this mode, the e Vitara will automatically apply brakes to tires lacking traction, redistributing torque to the other tires, thereby mimicking the function of a limited-slip differential.
Regarding the range, there has been no official announcement. However, it was previously disclosed that the 61kWh battery is anticipated to achieve a range of over 500 kilometers during global test cycles.
Regarding power, the 49kWh battery, equipped with a single motor on the front axle, generates 144 horsepower, while the larger 61kWh battery, also with a single motor, boosts this to 174 horsepower. Both configurations produce 189Nm of torque, which is relatively low for this vehicle size; for comparison, a Curvv EV boasts 215Nm of torque.
However, transitioning to the e-AllGrip AWD version introduces an additional 65 horsepower to the rear axle, resulting in a total output of 184 horsepower and 300Nm of torque, which is significantly more powerful.
Suzuki e Vitara Interior :
The e Vitara truly propels the game forward for Maruti and Suzuki, particularly in its interior design, which represents a significant upgrade from previous models. The design is contemporary, featuring a floating dual-screen infotainment and instrumentation console, a shelf-like horizontally stacked dashboard, and a floating center console with a gloss black finish. Beneath the console, there’s a storage area equipped with USB ports.
The car features some intriguing details, such as the twin-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, the rectangular air conditioning vents completed with brushed silver surrounds, the rotary drive state selector, and the combination of fabric and leather upholstery for the seats. Additionally, the inclusion of large door pockets and physical air conditioning controls is a welcome feature.
Suzuki e Vitara boasts a range of features that are easily recognizable, including an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold feature, drive modes such as ‘Trail’ for AWD versions, hill descent control, single-zone automatic climate control, wireless phone chargers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, side and curtain airbags, heated mirrors, and advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. It’s our hope that Maruti will introduce these impressive features to the Indian market soon.
There also seems to be a new operating system or user interface for the dual screens. This new system features a simpler layout for the touchscreen and includes significantly more information in the digital dials compared to the current SmartPlay Pro+ system.
Currently, there’s limited information available about the rear seat, aside from the fact that it features a split-folding arrangement, adjustable headrests, and three-point seatbelts for all passengers, along with ISOFIX child seat mounts. The high roof and extended wheelbase suggest ample headroom and legroom. However, it remains uncertain how effectively Suzuki engineers have managed to balance the high ground clearance of the e Vitara with the packaging of the underfloor battery pack, ensuring that the cabin floor remains as low as possible to maintain a comfortable seating position.
Suzuki e Vitara India launch :
The launch of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara India has been pushed back to March 2025, in addition to the Tata Curvv EV, which has already hit the market. This move comes as the competition intensifies with the introduction of two more rivals: the Mahindra BE 05 and the Hyundai Creta EV. Both vehicles are anticipated to be launched in January.