Toyota has revealed the Urban Cruiser EV for the UK market. It is the badge-engineered Suzuki e Vitara, which debuted earlier this year. Both electric SUVs will be launched in India in 2025, becoming the maiden electric models of Maruti Suzuki India and Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is based on the Toyota Urban SUV concept, which was showcased last year. The Toyota Urban SUV concept was itself based on the Suzuki eVX concept.
For reference, the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV/Suzuki e Vitara will be manufactured at Maruti Suzuki India’s Gujarat plant. Initially, Maruti will launch the e Vitara, followed by the introduction of Toyota’s Urban Cruiser EV.
The Urban Cruiser EV and the e Vitara are based on a new platform, which is dedicated exclusively to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). There is built-in protection for the vehicle’s high-voltage parts. It also avoids the need for cross-members in the floor, freeing up more space to accommodate the battery.
Tyres & DRLs
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV has a sleek front, which the carmaker calls ‘hammerhead’. There are LED headlamps with LED DRLs and LED taillamps. The electric SUV has muscular front and rear bumpers. There are 18/19-inch wheels, depending on the variant. It has multiple exterior colours, including dual-tone options with a contrasting black roof.
Dimensions
The electric SUV measures 4,285mm in length, 1,800mm in width and 1,640mm in height. The wheelbase in 2,700mm long. The turning radius is claimed to be 5.2 metres.
Interiors
The cabin of the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is a premium space to be in. The upholstery and trims are in black and dark grey colours, while ambient lighting has 12 different colour options. There is an integrated 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment. Among other features are a powered driver seat, wireless charger, JBL premium audio system, 360-degree camera and sunroof. There is ADAS offering features like a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist.
Battery Details:
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV has two lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack options — 49kWh and 61kWh. Depending on the market, there will be front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The AWD version will have a 48kW motor on the rear axle.
Power Figures
A 49kWh battery is available exclusively in the FWD version with motor output of 106kW/142bhp and 189Nm. Additionally, the FWD model has a 61kWh battery with a motor output of 128kW/172bhp and 189Nm. In the AWD version, there is only a 61kWh battery with a motor output of 135kW/181bhp and 300Nm.
The FWD model has a ‘Snow’ mode, which controls drive torque to help reduce wheel slip when driving on snow-covered roads. The AWD model has downhill assist control and a trail mode, which detects and brakes a spinning wheel while directing drive torque to the opposite wheel.
Range & Price
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV range has not been disclosed yet. However, we expect it to be over 500 kilometres on a single full charge. When launched in India, its price is expected to start at around Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom).
