Maruti Suzuki to unveil new SUV on September 3, not the e Vitara
Maruti Suzuki is set to launch a new SUV on September 3 but it will not be the much-anticipated electric Vitara (e Vitara), contrary to earlier speculation. The upcoming model is not the battery-electric version of the Vitara.
Currently, Maruti Suzuki’s SUV portfolio includes the Fronx, Brezza, Jimny and Grand Vitara. During the company’s Q4 FY25 earnings announcement, Chairman R C Bhargava stated that two new SUVs would be introduced in FY26, including the e Vitara. He also noted that e Vitara sales in India were expected to begin before the end of September. However, a delay in the availability of rare earth magnets, critical components in electric vehicles, has impacted the original timeline.
The scarcity of rare earth magnets, used in key EV systems like motors, sensors, regenerative braking and HVAC units, has led to a shift in launch schedules. It now appears likely that the upcoming September 3 launch will be for a new internal combustion engine (ICE)-based SUV, rather than an electric one. No official confirmation regarding its specifications or features has been released yet.
Meanwhile, Maruti showcased the production-ready e Vitara at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. It will be manufactured at the company’s Gujarat facility and positioned as an export-first model, with plans to ship to over 100 countries.
The e Vitara will come with two battery configurations, 49kWh and 61kWh, offering an estimated range of over 500 km on a single charge. Built on the new Heartect-e platform, the EV will also be Maruti’s first car to feature seven airbags and Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Significantly, this model marks the debut of battery electric vehicles for both Maruti Suzuki and its parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation.
