Suzuki e Vitara with electric 4WD system revealed as company’s first-ever electric vehicle; Launch in India planned for 2025

Suzuki revealed its first-ever production electric vehicle (EV) – the Suzuki e Vitara – at an event in Milan, Italy, ahead of its public launch in 2025 in India as well as global markets. It is based on the eVX prototype that was first shown at the 2023 Auto Expo and is built on a new electric platform. The electric vehicle comes with an ALLGRIP-e electric 4-wheel drive system, a single-speed electric transmission and lithium iron phosphate batteries.

The Suzuki e Vitara will make its India debut at the Bharat Mobility Show in January 2025, the Japanese automaker has announced. It will be manufactured at Suzuki Motor Gujarat assembly plant in spring 2025 for global export as well as sale in India. The electric vehicle will be available in Europe, India and Japan.

Suzuki e Vitara Features, Powertrain and Range

Suzuki said e Vitara is its first-ever battery electric vehicle (BEV) based on the automaker’s new HEARTECT-e platform, tailor-made for such vehicles. Thanks to the short overhang, this platform would have a lightweight structure, protection against high voltages and offer a spacious interior. It can accommodate five people.

In terms of dimensions, the European-spec e Vitara measures 4,275 x 1,800 x 1,635 mm and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. The electric vehicle has a ground clearance of 180 mm, a turning radius of 5.2 mm and a curb weight of 1,702 kg. It will be offered in 2WD and 4WD drive system options, although the latter will be limited to models with higher battery specifications. The 4WD system is called ALLGRIP-e and includes two independent eAxles at the front and rear. Suzuki says the e Vitara can easily navigate rough terrain by applying the brakes to the spinning tires and distributing engine torque to the opposite tire – a feature that has been dubbed Trail mode.

The eAxle itself integrates the motor and inverter to provide agile acceleration when the vehicle is stationary and rapid acceleration when passing low to high speeds. The electric vehicle’s motor is paired with a single-speed electric transmission. It also benefits from ventilated discs at the front and rear.

To maximize battery capacity, the vehicle floor has been redesigned and elements have been eliminated in favor of the main floor. The e Vitara will be offered in two lithium iron phosphate battery options: 49 kWh and 61 kWh. The former can provide a maximum power of 106 kW, while the latter has a power of 128 kW at the front wheels. The 4WD model with 61 kWh battery has an additional 48 kW of power output at the rear. While the 2WD variants have a maximum torque of 189 Nm, the 4WD variant can deliver up to 300 Nm of torque, according to Suzuki.