Suzuki eVitara debuts – electric SUV made in India with 2WD and 4WD powertrains, up to 61 kWh battery

Suzuki has unveiled its first production electric vehicle, the eVitara. This is the productionised version of the Maruti Suzuki eVX concept that was shown in January 2023, and this will go on sale in markets including Europe, India and Japan from the northern hemisphere summer of 2025. Production of the eVitara will take place at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India.

This measures 4,275 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,635 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm, while wheel track widths are 1,540 mm and 1,545 mm front and rear, respectively, and ground clearance is 180 mm. The eVitara is offered in two battery specifications of 49 kWh and 61 kWh, the former powering a front-wheel-drive drivetrain while the latter can be specified for FWD or 4WD.

Powertrain outputs for the eVitara are 106 kW (144 PS) and 189 Nm from its front-mounted motor for the 49 kWh battery equipped variant, while the 61 kWh battery variant enables a slightly more powerful FWD motor at 128 kW (174 PS) an the same torque output figure.

The larger, 61 kWh battery-equipped 4WD variant adds a 48 kW (65 PS) rear axle motor for a combined output of 135 kW (184 PS) and 300 Nm. Both single-motor front-wheel-drive and dual-motor 4WD powertrains employ single-speed transmission. Charging speeds have yet to be officially announced, though Suzuki aims for a range of 400 km and up to 150 kW of DC charging, reported Autocar.

The 4WD powertrain in the eVitara is controlled by the Allgrip-e system, which enables “precise control with excellent responsiveness,” while its platform is developed specifically for battery-electric vehicles, said Suzuki. An included ‘trail mode’ offers a locking differential-type of function by braking a spinning wheel, in effect sending drive to the wheel with more available grip.

The platform features a lightweight structure with protection for high-voltage components, and its main floor does without underfloor members to maximise battery capacity; kerb weight starts from 1,702 kg in base 49 kWh specification, up to 1,899 kg for the 61 kWh, dual-motor version.

According to he president of Suzuki Motor Corporation Toshihiro Suzuki, the introduction of the eVitara “represents a significant milestone in achieving carbon neutrality”, and the debut of the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle will be followed by an expansion of the brand’s BEV product line, in addition to providing a “variety of options, including BEVs, hybrid vehicles and CNG vehicles, tailored to specific regions.”

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