Joburg weekend guide: Festival of Motoring, Parklive and more

Suzuki has introduced its electric vehicle, the e Vitara, to the South African market at the Festival of Motoring in Kyalami. The e Vitara, which is assembled in India, serves as the first vehicle to utilize the Heartect-e platform, specifically designed for battery electric vehicles. Suzuki Auto South Africa has brought a prototype to assess market interest, though no official launch date has been announced.

Brendon Carpenter, Suzuki SA's brand marketing manager, stated that Suzuki is currently conducting feasibility studies to determine the model's potential place in the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. Pricing details in South Africa are yet to be determined. However, it's worth noting that in India, the e Vitara competes with the top-tier versions of the internal combustion Grand Vitara.

An interesting point is the battery-rental option in India, where the price aligns with the base Grand Vitaras, amounting to 67 cents per kilometre.

The e Vitara is available in both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions, with power outputs of 128kW and 135kW, respectively. The claimed range is up to 420km on the WLTP cycle using the 61kWh battery, likely to be the choice for the South African market. A smaller 49kWh option is also available, offering a range of 344km. The vehicle supports DC fast charging at a maximum rate of 70kW, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in approximately 45 minutes.

Inside the e Vitara, a dual-screen layout includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central infotainment screen. Physical climate controls are retained, while a floating centre console provides easy access to essential controls. Depending on the model, premium features may include a glass panoramic roof, ventilated front seats, and a Harman Infinity audio system.

Although the e Vitara has not been officially confirmed for the South African market, further details will be released once a local launch date is determined.