Maruti e Vitara to get made in India front e-axle

Maruti Suzuki’s e Vitara, soon to be launched in India, will use a compact e-axle made in India. Jointly developed by a consortium known as BluE Nexus that includes Toyota (BluE), Aisin and DENSO, the eAxle is a module that integrates a motor, an inverter and a transaxle into a compact package. Similar in concept to systems used by Tesla, BMW and Hyundai (E-GMP), the eAxle uses a compact motor and inverter to achieve high power density without taking up too much space.

1. Maruti e Vitara front motor max opower output is 174hp
2. Max power for rear eAxle stands at 108hp in 
3. India likely to get e Vitara AWD after Toyota Urban Cruiser EV

Maruti e Vitara power figures

India-spec e Vitara to be FWD initially

The power output of the front motor currently made in India stands between 106kW (144hp) and 128kW (174hp). The eAxle that is mounted in the front has a reduced length to help it fit in the bonnet, and the one to be mounted in the rear has a reduced height for extra passenger and luggage space. The maximum power for the rear eAxle stands at 80kW (108hp). We, in India, are, however, unlikely to get this initially, as the AWD version is only expected to come later. The buzz is that Toyota is likely to get that first on its version of the SUV.

Maruti e Vitara motor and battery details

e Vitara will initially get a 61kWh battery with approx 500km of ARAI range

To help achieve these compact dimensions, the e-Axle uses double-sided cooling for the inverter to help make it more effective and more efficient magnets, too, so that the e-motor can be lighter and smaller. What also helps save weight is that the inverter, in this case, is placed inside the main housing – so there’s no additional housing needed for each component. The added benefit here is that the shafts that deliver power from the motor to the axle can be even more compact, which also saves weight as the shorter shafts don’t need to be made as strong. The e Vitara will initially be launched in India with a 61kWh battery and a range of approximately 500km.