An enormous milestone in Suzuki’s 115-year-history simply occurred: the Japanese automaker revealed its first electrical manufacturing automobile. Referred to as the E Vitara (stylized as e Vitara, however that appears annoying) it’s a small crossover that shall be in-built India and bought there in addition to in Japan and Europe. Primarily based on the eVX idea from final yr, the E Vitara is fairly cute. Greater than being simply cute, it seems like Moo Deng.
You recognize, Moo Deng, the pygmy hippopotamus that was born on July 10 this yr within the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. She turned a viral sensation as a result of she is so chunky and slippery and lovable and offended on a regular basis. She kinda completely captured the top of Brat summer time and the start of Brat autumn, together with how everyone seems to be feeling about tomorrow.
You possibly can’t inform me the Suzuki E Vitara doesn’t appear like Moo Deng. They’re each formed like a Tootsie Roll, thick within the center, not very tall and stubby on the ends, with some chunky bodywork components. They each have an offended face with expressive eyes and an open mouth. The E Vitara seems prefer it needs to be my good friend but in addition chunk my footwear, similar to Moo Deng. Suzuki says the E Vitara is an “Emotional Versatile Cruiser,” which is how Moo Deng would describe herself, I guess.
I feel Moo Deng would additionally approve of the E Vitara’s inside, which seems fairly cool. Suzuki says it has “tough-looking panels,” although it doesn’t say whether or not the supplies are literally powerful or not. I just like the shapes of the air vents, door panels and middle console, and it definitely seems nicer than different fashionable Suzukis.
The E Vitara is constructed on a brand new HEARTECT-e platform developed only for EVs, and it has an all-wheel-drive system referred to as ALLGRIP-e that has an impartial electrical axle at every finish. There’s a Path mode that may apply the brakes to a spinning wheel and distribute torque to the opposite finish for higher traction. Have a look at Moo Deng’s lil toes! She has ALLGRIP-e, too.
Suzuki will provide the E Vitara in a front-wheel-drive base mannequin that has a 49-kWh battery pack and a single motor with 142 horsepower. You possibly can improve to a 61-kWh battery that ups output to 172 hp and the identical 139 pound-feet of torque; going for the AWD mannequin provides a 64-hp motor on the rear for a complete of 181 hp and 221 lb-ft. In its lightest FWD kind the E Vitara weighs 3,752 kilos whereas the AWD mannequin is as much as 4,187 kilos. At 168.3 inches lengthy and 64.4 inches tall, the E Vitara is about the identical top and a pair inches shorter in size than the brand new Nissan Kicks.
Manufacturing of the E Vitara will begin in India in spring 2025, with the automobile occurring sale that summer time. Suzuki, for those who’re listening and for those who’re sensible, you want to get Moo Deng within the advert campaigns.
