Suzuki Motor Corporation, the parent company of Maruti Suzuki, has introduced the e Vitara, the production-ready version of the all-electric EVX SUV concept. The e Vitara is Suzuki’s first mass-produced EV for international markets, and it will be produced and sold from India starting in 2025. It is based on the EV-specific Heartect-e platform.
From the broad haunches and squared-out wheel arches to the angular headlights with Y-shaped LED light guides and the receding roofline, the e Vitara largely adopts the basic design of the eVX concept. However, some sections of the production model have undergone considerable alterations. The e Vitara’s front bumper has been modified with noticeable cuts and wrinkles, and lower vents to direct air into the running gear for the best possible cooling. The bumper’s base has fog lamps built into it.
The EVX and the e Vitara both heavily utilise plastics on the bumpers, doors, side sills, and wheel arches to give the car a rugged appearance. Traditional pull-style units have replaced the concept’s flush door handles for the front doors, while pillar-mounted handles are used for the back doors.
The tail lamp shape has remained the same around the back, complete with the three-bar illumination components. The rear windscreen now has a wrap-around spoiler and a centrally located wiper, while the production-spec bumper has been slightly modified. Either 18-inch or 19-inch wheels with 225/55 section tires complete the look.
The new e Vitara’s dimensions are as follows: it is 4275 mm long, 1800 mm wide, 1635 mm height, and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. According to Suzuki’s specifications, the SUV’s kerb weight ranges from 1702 kg to 1899 kg, with a minimum ground clearance of 180 mm.
Moving on to the cabin, the overall design is similar to the fundamental layout shown in late-year cabin renderings. A thick layer of soft-touch material divides the upper and lower dashboards, while two free-standing displays set within a shared bezel sit atop the dashboard. A rotary gear selector and an electronic parking brake are visible lower down, while a short row of physical buttons is tucked away between the central air conditioning vents. There is storage underneath the floating upper console that houses the switchgear.
Suzuki has released a wealth of information about the new e Vitara’s powertrain. The 49 kWh and 61 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack options available to buyers include the latter’s optional four-wheel drive drivetrain. With a 142 horsepower and 189 Nm motor built into the front axle of the base model, front-wheel drive is standard. More powerful models have 172 horsepower available, while four-wheel drive vehicles include a 64-bhp electric motor built into the rear axle for a total output of 181 horsepower and 300 Nm.
The ALLGRIP-e electric four-wheel drive system will combine precise control and performance, and it will also have a special Trail mode for navigating challenging terrain. According to the business, the system distributes torque to the other wheels and brakes the free-spinning tires, effectively acting as a limited-slip differential. All four corners come equipped with disc brakes as standard.
Suzuki explained that the e Vitara will be exported to markets worldwide after going into production at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat factory in the spring of 2025.
