Suzuki has revealed the production-spec e-Sky as the brand’s first electric kei car for markets like the United Kingdom. Developed around Japan’s strict kei car regulations, the new EV gets an upright and boxy structure to maximise interior room while keeping its footprint compact. Its prices in the UK start below £20,000 (Rs. 26.08 lakh) as it sits close to the price of the Suzuki Swift.
The new electric city car remains in line with the e-Sky concept shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last year but Suzuki has made some notable changes to the lighting design. The concept’s elaborate LED arrangement has been replaced by a chunkier setup that gives the production model a more conventional appearance. The tall stance and compact footprint are key elements of the design which reminds us a lot of the WagonR.
However, as for India, Maruti Suzuki is currently working on an electrified MPV while small EVs will arrive in the coming years. Online reports indicate that the e-Sky could receive a single front-wheel-drive electric motor producing around 63 bhp. Such an output would correspond closely to the limits associated with Japan’s kei-car regulations.
The reports have also suggested a range of around 310 km. The e-Sky also arrives at an important point in Suzuki global product strategy. The company has identified an electric A-segment model as a key requirement for its future range while the move towards zero emission vehicles may push manufacturers to increase EV sales.
The Suzuki e-Sky measures 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width and 1,625 mm in height while its 2,460 mm wheelbase contributes to the compact EV’s tallness. Its kerb weight stands at 1,030 kg and the turning radius is rated at 4.4 metres. Suzuki has also fitted a direct heat-pump system alongside an air heated electric heater to reduce the energy required for cabin heating in colder conditions.
The system could prove particularly useful for an EV of this size where auxiliary energy consumption can have a noticeable effect on range. The Easy Drive Pedal increases deceleration when the accelerator is released and reduces the need for frequent movement between the accelerator and brake in stop-go traffic. The e-Sky also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality.
It packs a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument display, connected navigation and EV-specific route planning. The navigation system accounts for battery charge and traffic conditions when suggesting routes and charging locations.
