Suzuki Fronx EV mooted as a cheap electric car

Look out, BYD Atto 3 and MG4.

Suzuki is poised to offer what might be one of the least expensive electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia in the near future.

Expected within the next two years, the electric version of what looks to be the Fronx was revealed in silhouette form late last week in a global brand strategy report, exposing some, if not all, of the Japanese company's EV rollout plans to the end of this decade.

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Just in case you missed it, the Fronx is Suzuki's new small crossover hatchback model introduced globally at the biennial Auto Expo in India in early January, and is intended to indirectly replace the popular but now-discontinued Baleno small car in Australia sometime next year.

As the latter was one of the cheaper choices in the sub-$20,000 segment at the time of its demise in 2021, the newcomer augers well as the succeeding model to continue the company's "value-packed product" affordability philosophy, albeit at a higher price due to the crossover packaging, as reiterated in the report released on January 27.

The electric version of what looks to be the Fronx was revealed in silhouette form late last week in a global brand strategy report.

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The electric version of what looks to be the Fronx was revealed in silhouette form late last week in a global brand strategy report.

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To help achieve lower costs, the Fronx will be built by subsidiary Maruti Suzuki in India under the premium Nexa sub-brand, meaning it should have all the necessary safety and technology specifications required for Australia – something that the Baleno that launched back in 2016 could not offer later in its lifecycle.

With Suzuki Australia already confirming that all its new models released from 2025 will be electrified in some way (which also incorporates hybrids), this puts the Fronx EV in the hot seat as one of this country's potentially cheapest EVs.

Going on the available information, a $40,000 to $50,000 price range is anticipated, meaning the Fronx EV would undercut key rivals already on sale today like the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3. At the time of publishing, these kick off from $44,990 driveaway and $48,011 before on-road costs respectively.

Going on the available information, a ,000 to ,000 price range is anticipated, meaning the Fronx EV would undercut key rivals already on sale today.

Late last year, Suzuki Australia general manager, Michael Pachota, told CarsGuide that India will continue to be an important source of vehicles for the company.

"There's a huge possibility… because there's a massive amount of investment…," he said.

"And because of the living standard (in India) lifting, there is going to be an opportunity for other countries globally to be able to get new products… that meet the requirements for different markets like Australia."

So, what would the Fronx EV offer Australian buyers?

Sadly, while the Suzuki document did reveal other silhouetted future EV models alongside the alleged Fronx EV, including what appears to be a city car, small people mover, Swift-style hatchback, possible S-Cross or Vitara replacement small SUV and the long-rumoured Jimny off-roader EV, there was no information on the type of batteries, electric motors or range that these vehicles would offer. This will come later.

What would the Fronx EV offer Australian buyers?

Furthermore, whether Suzuki Australia sticks with the Fronx name, or elects goes with something less unusual, like F-Cross or even Baleno Cross to reflect the newcomer's loftier positioning within the range above the Swift but beneath the big-selling Vitara, remains to be seen.

To refresh, the regular, internal combustion engined Fronx is built on a variation of Suzuki's Heartect B-segment platform that underpins the Ignis, Baleno and Swift, and will initially be offered with the latter's 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol or 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engines, but with mild hybrid tech to help save fuel.

That said, with a two trillion Yen investment in electrification (nearly $A22 billion), establishing a "carbon neutral society" by 2050 in Europe and Japan and 2070 in India are key goals for Suzuki, and this includes all areas of the corporation, including motorcycles and outboard motors.

The Fronx is Suzuki’s new small crossover hatchback model introduced globally at the biennial Auto Expo in India in early January.

To that end, in Japan there will be six EV models available between April 2024 and April 2031 (in line with the Japanese financial year), for a powertrain ratio (amongst passenger vehicles) of 20:80 EV/hybrid; with five EVs slated for Europe over the same timeframe, that ratio (now taking in all Suzuki vehicles) flips to 80:20 EV/hybrid.

The first, as-yet undisclosed model, will be out before April 1, 2024.

More info will be revealed later, so please watch this space.