METAL BEAST UNLEASHED
As Suzuki’s first fully production-ready global electric vehicle, the e-Vitara stands true to the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility while staying true to its heritage of creating smart, reliable, and practical everyday vehicles.
During the vehicle’s launch at the Philippine International Motor Show last June, Suzuki Philippines’ (SPI) director and general manager for the automobile division, Norihide Takei, noted the brand’s vision for the future and continued dedication to innovation.
“Today, we take a monumental leap forward into a bold new chapter,” he said.
According to him, the all-new eVitara reflects Suzuki’s commitment to delivering advanced mobility solutions that inspire confidence, excitement, and practicality for today’s generation of drivers.
“As we move toward the future of electrification, we invite everyone to join us as this new era begins.”
Now, to appeal to Filipinos, the vehicle is visually striking and powerful, as the design was built around the concept of the “Metal Beast.”
Initial public reception even praised the vehicle’s exterior features with its strong character lines, unique coupe-like silhouette, and an advanced roof design optimized for better aerodynamics.
Its commanding stance highlights the new signature three-point matrix LED lamps at the front, complemented by a beautifully sculpted modern aesthetic at the rear.
Despite this, public perception also noted its steep P2M-price tag, compared to more affordable contenders. Some even hint at its “all form, no perform” initial notion without even trying the vehicle.
Hence, SPI recently had the local media try the vehicle out at the Batangas Racing Circuit just to see how the vehicle actually performs.
From its exterior, the e-Vitara spills over its swagger inside with the interior’s high-quality soft-touch materials, vibrant textures, and customizable multicolor ambient lighting. It’s spacious and feels modern.
It also boasts its highly-advanced, pure electric platform, the “HEARTECT-e platform, which is anchored by three critical engineering pillars: exceptional structural rigidity, maximized passenger space, and advanced high-voltage battery protection.
Now, under its hood is an electric powertrain that delivers 172hp and 193 nm of torque. It is powered by a 61kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery configuration, with an advanced thermal management system.
We tried the vehicle on the track just to prove its critics wrong.
Acceleration from the get-go might feel sluggish for some depending on the driver but what makes it fun is it’s agile and seamless on the corners. Its firm ride makes it feel planted on the straights giving the driver more confidence to take on the incoming hairpins.
It allowed this driver to even push it to 145kph at the end of Brian’s Corner, the famed banked left-sweeper of the track. While it was a thrill at the Casino double left-hander and Yokohama Hairpin.
I might have even pushed it to 160kph at the end of the main straight if not for the unsettling look of the marshal beside me, hinting me to take it a notch lower.
In the end, it was just a joy to play with this vehicle on the race track, not to mention an official AAP-sanctioned fuel efficiency real-life driving squeezed out a gargantuan 9.8 km/kWh, which is equal to approximately 87.2 km per liter from the e-Vitara.
Thus, to its critics, just let the vehicle’s exceptional performance do the talking.
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