With a range of around 500 km, the production version of EVX will make a compelling proposition
While other homegrown OEMs have already fielded their EVs in the market hoping to take the first mover’s advantage, Maruti Suzuki, the market leader, thinks that there is still some time left before the switch to full-electric products becomes imperative. Nevertheless, the brand which has been successfully demonstrating its ability to read the Indian customers’ pulse for decades debuted its all-electric EVX concept at the Auto Expo, signalling its medium-term intentions.
Harbinger to Next Gen Maruti Brezza
The Maruti EVX previews the company’s new crossover design language which could form the basis for the Brezza’s spiritual successor. We hope, the critical 4m length limit which dictates excise duty benefits would eventually disappear in the all-electric era so the compact crossovers can be more spacious and practical than the current crop of conventional players.
For example, with a length of about 4.3m, the production version of EVX will be roughly the size of the brisk-selling Hyundai Creta. Upon launch, it will likely have to contend with the next gen Nexon EV, which will also be about 4.3 m in length. Then there is the Creta EV and Seltos EV in the making, which could also be potential rivals along with XUV400.
Our rendering specialist Pratyush Rout has imagined the next generation Maruti Brezza crossover SUV based on the EVX concept. The production version, as the rendering points out, will be slightly watered down to emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency which is crucial when it comes to range. The new design language continues to retain the basic boxy character of Maruti’s current crop of compact crossovers. Salient design features on the front include sleek LED headlamps, almost non-existent front grille, boomerang-shaped foglight enclosures and an inverted trapezoidal air-intake.
Smooth sheet metal surfaces, flush door handles, and pronounced rear haunches define the profile while we expect the concept’s continuous rear combination lamps and compact rear windshield to be carried forward more or less as they are. Maruti has not revealed the interiors of the EVX Concept but going by the global trend, one can expect the vehicle to opt for a simple dashboard dominated by several displays and state-of-the-art connectivity features.
Powertrain Details
The production version of the Maruti EVX is expected to be the brand’s first grounds-up all-electric project. Details on the electric powertrain are scarce as of now but the crossover which is likely to be launched sometime in 2025 is like to pack a 100 to 150 kW electric motor supported by a LFP battery pack with a capacity of around 60 kWh. This should be good for a certified range in the ballpark of 500 km.
The India-made Suzuki all-electric compact crossover will be a good candidate also in the overseas markets. In fact, exports are expected to account for roughly half of the EV’s production volume. Suzuki Motor Corporation will invest USD 100 million in the country to make EVs and batteries.
Maruti is hoping that the current crop of affordable electric vehicles in India will lay the groundwork for acceptability among the customers by the time it is ready with its maiden zero emission product. The country’s charging infrastructure also should be more conducive in the next 2-3 years than it is now.
Disclaimer – Design renders presented in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes and have not been commissioned, approved, or endorsed by the manufacturer. Designs presented here may not reflect the final product or the manufacturer’s intentions. The renders are provided as conceptual designs or artistic interpretations only, and their accuracy or feasibility cannot be guaranteed.
Source: Electric - rushlane.com
