What a way to start the Auto Expo 2018; with India’s own homegrown automaker Maruti Suzuki unveiling its futuristic e-Survivor concept. First showcased back at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki is bringing in the e-Survivor concept into India. In a way, this could be seen as a sign of the future path that the Indian automotive industry is aiming for: electric and hybrid vehicles. Catch the live streaming of the Maruti Suzuki showcase at the Auto Expo here and catch all live updates of the Auto Expo here!
The Suzuki e-Survivor concept, for those who don’t know, is an electric vehicle concept with two motors that run the front and rear pairs of wheels. This one is an SUV, with design influences from Suzuki’s Vitara (a bigger version of the famous Vitara Brezza) and the Jimny, sold as the Gypsy in India. The e-Survivor concept aims to offer the same off-road capability as the Gypsy, which is quite a lot to live up to. NOW READ: Maruti Suzuki to Debut e-Survivor Concept EV & New Hybrid System at Auto Expo 2018
The e-Survivor concept gets a neat-looking two-seat configuration, but the production version, if it reaches that stage, could come with an extra row of seats. The concept may turn into production sometime around 2020. For now, we don’t know if the e-Survivor will come to India if it reaches the production stage. What we do know are its underpinnings. The e-Survivor gets a ladder-on-frame chassis with elements from the Vitara for driving and passenger comfort. There are rearview cameras and not mirrors.
With two independent motors, the e-Survivor concept naturally gets four-wheel drive. Maruti Suzuki seems to have big plans with the e-Survivor, and the concept could be an example of where it is heading to in the future. Other indications of the automaker’s shift towards electric vehicles include setting up a battery plant and partnering with Toyota to introduce electric vehicles by 2020.