Introduction
Maruti Suzuki is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) landscape with the upcoming eVX its first fully electric model. Unveiled at the 2023 Auto Expo in January the eVX results from a strategic collaboration with Toyota which plans to introduce its own version based on the same platform in 2025. Positioned to compete with formidable rivals like the MG ZS EV and upcoming Tata Curvv EV, Creta EV, and Seltos EV the Maruti eVX is making waves as it undergoes rigorous testing in India.
Striking Design and Street Presence
Recently spotted at a recharge station, the Maruti eVX showcased its dominating street presence. The electric SUV has a bold and fashionable appearance with a huge alloy wheel, a sloping roofline, an erect and hefty front fascia, and a rough rear profile and the shark fin antenna, wraparound tail lamps, closed-off front grille, and L-shaped headlamps are important design features. The overall aesthetic is enhanced with full-width LED elements at the front and rear contributing to a visually appealing package.
Minimalistic and Futuristic Interiors
Maruti eVX embraces a minimalistic design theme for its interiors aligning with contemporary consumer preferences. The cabin will be equipped with capacitive touch controls replacing traditional physical buttons. The highlight of the interior is a large panoramic touchscreen housing the infotainment screen and the digital instrument cluster. A trendy dashboard design, vertically positioned AC vents, a two-spoke steering wheel, and a prominent center console contribute to a futuristic and user-friendly driving experience. Mood lights that may be customized improve the atmosphere even more.
Performance and Technology
As Maruti's inaugural electric offering the eVX is expected to deliver best-in-class performance. Built on Toyota's 40PL electric skateboard architecture (internally referred to as 27PL) the eVX will likely feature a tweaked version. In its concept form, the eVX showcased a 60-kWh battery pack with an impressive range of 550 km. The production version is speculated to come with a slightly smaller 48 kWh battery pack offering a real-world range of around 400 km. Premium features including a rotary drive mode selector, a 360° surround-view camera, at least 6 airbags, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are expected to be integral to the eVX's safety kit.
Pricing and Localization Strategy
Maruti is committed to achieving a high level of localization for the eVX encompassing both the motor and the battery pack. Manufactured at the company's Gujarat plant the eVX aligns with Maruti's tradition of offering affordable yet feature-rich vehicles. The pricing of the eVX is anticipated to fall within the range of Rs 18 lakh to Rs 22 lakh which makes it an attractive proposition in the electric SUV segment. Maruti has ambitious plans for export markets with Europe being one of the primary targets due to the region's rapid electrification trends. The global rollout will be executed in phases covering various overseas markets. As the automotive industry embraces electric mobility the Maruti eVX emerges as a significant player poised to redefine the future of electric SUVs.