E FOR EASYGOING

The first impressions of Maruti Suzuki's e-Vitara set to hit the markets soon

- LEKSHMI C PILLAI

FINALLY, Maruti Suzuki is launching an electric car. The much-awaited e-Vitara is set to hit the market this year. It is clear that Maruti has been watching the market carefully, even as rivals rushed with e-launches in recent times.

Notably, before launching its first EV, the company installed over 2,000 charging stations across the length and breadth of India and trained 1.5 lakh technicians in servicing electric cars. Maruti understands that what people expect from the brand is not just a car, but a reliable after-sales network as well. Now, let me share my first impressions of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, after spending a day with it in Haryana.

DESIGN

It can be polarising. Though it is named e-Vitara, it has no visual similarities with Maruti’s midsize SUVs, the Grand Vitara or Victoris. The child in me would like to think the shape of the e-Vitara resembles a big frog flexing its muscles.

The ‘Maruti look’ is evident from many angles, but there are plenty of bulges, thick wheel arches, plastic cladding and sharp creases. One word to describe it is: muscular.