Suzuki has previewed a range of personal mobility developments that they say will shape tomorrow. This included the eVX, eWX and e EVERY concept vehicles that received a public viewing at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo in late October.
The eVX is Suzuki’s first global strategic electric vehicle. Measuring the same length as a production Suzuki S-Cross and slightly longer than a Vitara, the eVX EV incorporates electronically controlled four-wheel-drive technologies.
Manufacture of this electrically powered SUV will likely commence in 2025. The eVX has a dual motor set-up and good off-road capabilities in addition to fine on-road abilities, says Suzuki.
It boasts a range of up to 500 kilometres and has an interior that is unveiled for the first time after the initial body shape was displayed in India earlier this year. The interior has a giant single screen for both driver information and entertainment and a yoke-styled steering wheel with touch-based controls.
Meanwhile, the eWX mini wagon EV, with a range of 230 kilometres, is a practical tall box kei car concept design with a closed-off grille, C-shaped light clusters and lower bumpers with plastic cladding and yellow bumper-mounted headlights. Kei car refers to the Japanese vehicle category for the smallest highway-legal passenger cars.
At 1,620 mm, the electric eWX is fractionally higher than a production Suzuki Vitara SUV while the mini wagon’s overall length at 3,395 mm is 250 mm less than the highly successful and much adored compact Suzuki Jimny three-door SUV off roader.
The e EVERY mini-commercial battery electric (BEV) van, which has been jointly developed by Suzuki, Daihatsu and Toyota, has a range of 200 kilometres, and is able to supply electricity from the vehicle in an emergency. The e EVERY is the same length as the eWX but displays its commercial vehicle origins with an overall height of 1,890 mm – 270 mm more than the eWX.
Suzuki also displayed its Spacia Custom concept, a mini car with a multi-use flap in the front section of the seat cushion and a Swift concept incorporating collision mitigation braking, adaptive high beam and a driver monitoring system.
Suzuki also presented the e-PO, a foldable, 50 cc equivalent electric moped, co-developed by Suzuki and Panasonic Cycle Technology. With three ride modes for full electric, assisted and pedal, the moped has a stronger assist function than other e-bikes and is able to be used on many types of roads. The e-choinori electric scooter and e-Burgman prototype electric scooter were also on display.
The Suzuki Senior car on show is a motorised wheelchair with a handle bar and ultrasonic sensor that detects obstacles ahead of the vehicle. It also has a brake that suppresses speed when the user accidentally operates the clutch handle on a slope.
The Japanese car maker is conducting research and development of hydrogen engines as one of the multi-pathway initiatives for realising carbon neutrality. At the Tokyo Mobility Show a hydrogen test model illustrated Suzuki’s work in this area.
The company also presented a light and compact electric outboard motor that can easily be transported in a small car.
