Maruti Suzuki has finally taken the wraps off its first EV, the e Vitara, in India. The carmaker will launch the electric SUV in March, and it will rival the Tata Curvv EV, Hyundai Creta Electric, MG ZS EV and the Mahindra BE 6. The e Vitara stays true to the eVX concept that previewed it back in 2023, and will go on sale with two battery pack options. It's twin from Toyota, the Urban Cruiser EV, which has also been showcased at the Auto Expo, arrives later in the year.
- Gets two battery options: 49kWh and 61kWh
- Design is marginally toned down from concept; gets 18-inch wheels
- Level 2 ADAS, 10.25-inch touchscreen among feature highlights
Maruti e Vitara range, battery, charging
Based on a skateboard platform (codename: 40PL) co-developed with Toyota, the e Vitara for India will have 49kWh and 61kWh battery packs, which use LFP (Lithium Iron-phosphate) ‘blade’ cells from BYD. The 49kWh and 61kWh battery packs are powered by front-axle mounted motors making 143hp and 173hp, respectively; torque is the same 192.5Nm on both. Maruti hasn’t yet revealed the range details, but it says the larger battery pack will offer an MIDC-rated range of over 500km.
.jpg?w=700&c=0)
Maruti has also announced a new 'e for Me' strategy under which it will set up fast chargers at dealerships in top 100 cities, a dedicated charging app and over 1,500 EV-specific service centres in over 1,000 cities.
Maruti e Vitara design and size
The Maruti e Vitara looks muscular and gets a two-box, upright silhouette, but some bits like the sharper edges and creases and the large alloy wheels have been toned down – the e Vitara gets 225/55 R18 tyres as standard. It will be available in 10 colours with four dual-tone options.
.jpg?w=700&c=0)
Design details of note on this 4,275mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,640mm tall eSUV include tri-slash LED daytime running lights at the front and rear, charging port on the front left fender, a prominent bulge over the rear wheel arch, and a C-pillar-mounted rear door handle. Maruti says the e Vitara has a 5.2-metre turning radius.
Maruti e Vitara interior and features
The e Vitara’s dashboard layout is unlike other Marutis on sale in India and highlights include a floating 10.25-inch screen for infotainment and instrumentation console, a 10.1-inch instrument cluster, two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, rectangular AC vents with brushed silver surrounds, physical buttons for the climate control, and a part-fabric, part-leatherette upholstery.
.jpg?w=700&c=0)
In terms of features, the e Vitara gets an electronic parking brake with auto hold, three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport), single-zone auto climate control, a wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, reclining and split (60:40) rear seats, 7 airbags and Level 2 ADAS.
Maruti e Vitara price and rivals
Maruti will reveal prices of the e Vitara in March. It will rivals the Mahindra BE 6 (Rs 18.90 lakh-26.90 lakh), Tata Curvv EV (Rs 17.49 lakh-21.99 lakh) and MG ZS EV (Rs 18.98 lakh-25.75 lakh). The e Vitara will be produced at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant, with 50 percent of production earmarked for export to Japan and Europe.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
