Designed around the concept of “Emotional Versatile Cruiser,” the e Vitara is Suzuki’s first global BEV. It rides on a dedicated battery electric platform, the Heartech-e and comes with an electric all-wheel drive system called Allgrip-e.

Like the combustion engine Heartech platform, Suzuki designed the Heartech-e to be as lightweight yet space-efficient as possible. For example, they’ve managed to eliminate underfloor members to maximize battery capacity, while still incorporating safety to protect the high-voltage powertrain. Moreover, it maximizes the wheelbase while shortening the overhangs as much as possible.

From there, Suzuki uses a highly efficient eAxle powertrain that combines the motor and inverter. It comes in three states of tune—144 horsepower (106 kW), 189 Nm; 174 horsepower (128 kW), 189 Nm; and 184 horsepower (135 kW), 300 Nm. The first two is representative of the 2WD version, while the latter is the AWD.

Oh, and regarding its all-wheel drive system, the e Vitara’s Allgrip-e does mean having dual electric motors that provide not just responsiveness, but control over any terrain. A special “Trail” mode also acts as a limited slip differential.

And as for the battery, the e Vitara either uses a 49-kWh or 61-kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery.

The Suzuki e Vitara will roll out from Suzuki Motor’s plant in Gujarat in India starting next year. It will be exported to global markets including Europe and Asia. It will also spawn a Toyota version.