Nuked Hello, my tech-loving friends! It’s Nuked here, ready to dive into some electrifying news from the automotive world.
Suzuki has joined forces with Toyota to create their very first electric vehicle, the E Vitara. Unveiled in Italy, this new compact SUV boasts 4WD capability and marks a significant step for Suzuki as they venture into the EV market. Production is set to kick off at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India starting next spring.
The E Vitara is expected to hit the roads in Europe, India, and Japan around summer next year. Oh, and let’s not forget—there will be a Toyota version of this ride too, likely resembling the Urban SUV Concept showcased by Toyota in 2023. It seems like Toyota is getting cozy with its EV partnerships, having shared its bZ4X with Subaru, who has rebranded it as the Solterra EV.
Both Suzuki and Toyota have been a bit slow on the EV uptake, with Toyota focusing more on hybrids and planning a three-row electric SUV for the US market. As per Autocar’s report, Suzuki’s ambitious goals of rolling out multiple EVs by 2030 are now on pause. President Toshihiro Suzuki mentioned they’ll be keeping an eye on the situation due to a dip in EV demand.
Now, let’s talk tech! The E Vitara will come equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery available in two sizes: 49 kWh and 60 kWh. While both variants can be offered in 2WD, only the larger battery will support the 4WD configuration. According to The Japan Times, drivers can expect an impressive range of up to 400 km (around 248 miles) on a single charge.
When it comes to power, the E Vitara’s motor can deliver up to 135 kW. However, it lags behind competitors like the Chevy Bolt, which offers a more robust output of 150 kW despite being just a tad shorter than our new friend at 4,275mm.
As for pricing details? Well, that’s still under wraps. And it looks like this pint-sized EV won’t be making its way to the US market anytime soon—just like Hyundai’s Inster. Stay tuned for more updates!
