Suzuki has taken the covers off its first electric car with the new e Vitara SUV.
This new model is 100mm longer and has a 200mm longer wheelbase than the previous combustion engine Vitara, providing more passenger space inside.
The e Vitara will be built at Suzuki’s manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India, and sold in various global markets.
The exterior design uses black plastic wheel arch protectors and moldings on the lower bodywork, while the charging flap is located on the side of the front wing – to make charging easier. There are hidden door handles at the rear for a sportier side profile and at the rear there is a full-width light bar across the tailgate.
Meanwhile, the interior is new with vertical air vents, a two-spoke steering wheel and a digital driver display that has been transformed into the central touchscreen. There are also physical buttons for the climate control and a floating center console.
There will be a choice of two battery packs. The standard car comes with a 49 kWh unit with a front-mounted electric motor that produces 142 hp and 189 Nm of torque. There’s also a larger 61 kWh battery pack found on the mid-range and flagship model, which comes with an electric motor that generates 172 horsepower.
Meanwhile, there is also an all-wheel drive model that adds an extra e-motor on the rear axle, delivering a total output of 181 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Further performance figures and electric range have yet to be revealed.
Toshihiro Suzuki, president of Suzuki, said: “The e Vitara is our first BEV, developed through repeated trial and error to create an easy-to-use BEV for our customers. To achieve a carbon neutral society, we will offer a variety of options including BEVs, hybrid vehicles and internal combustion vehicles, tailored to specific regions. The introduction of the new e Vitara represents an important milestone in achieving carbon neutrality.”
Prices haven’t been announced, but it’s likely the new e Vitara will start from around €35,000 in Europe when production begins in mid-2025.
