The first Japan Mobility Show was held at the Tokyo Big Sight last month, and Driven travelled with Suzuki South Africa to catch a glimpse of what the future holds for Suzuki fans across the country.
First, Driven attended the Auto Expo India in January, then the Shanghai Motor Show in April, and now, we crossed multiple timelines to join Suzuki South Africa at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, where the Japanese marque gave us a first look at the next iteration of its popular Swift hatchback, an evolved electric SUV concept, and much more.
Although not a new show, the Japan Mobility Show evolved from the previous Tokyo Motor Show, and this year brought together over 475 companies from across the world, all focusing on showing what the future of mobility holds.
The exhibitors’ list included many new start-ups and joint ventures, particularly partnerships between established brands such as Suzuki and start-ups in personal mobility, robotics, and even flying cars.
SUZUKI SHOWSTOPPER
One of the biggest highlights on the Suzuki stand was the new Swift Concept, which previews the next-generation Swift that’s expected to reach our shores in late 2024. The Swift, one of Suzuki Auto SA’s most prolific successes, gets an overhauled, if not familiar, exterior design, an updated interior, and new Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features.
Although there is as yet no confirmation of what new systems will make it into the South African Swift, the Swift Concept showed a range of advanced technologies, including dual-sensor brake support, an adaptive high-beam light system and a new driver-monitoring system, raising the bar in the compact sector, and showing that an affordable car such as the Swift can also boast class-leading dynamic and passive safety equipment.
All-new from the tyres to the roof, the new Suzuki Swift will also offer a range of new high-efficiency engines that deliver more refined power while further improving on the excellent fuel consumption figures of the current range.
While the Swift Concept took centre stage at the show, it was flanked by models such as the upcoming all-electric eVX SUV first shown at the Auto Expo India earlier this year, as well as other new all-electric vehicles such as the Spacia, the eWX, and the eEVERY Concept.
UPDATED ALL-ELECTRIC eVX
First revealed at India’s Auto Expo 2023 that Driven attended in January, Suzuki’s first all-electric SUV showed off its interior for the first time, as Suzuki unveiled more technical details about the electronically controlled 4×4-system that utilises multiple electric motors to give the new SUV true-blue overlanding capabilities.
Although South Africans will likely not be enjoying Suzuki-powered all-electric mobility anytime soon, seeing SA’s fastest-growing car brand dip its toes in electric vehicles is heartening. Says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa, “Suzuki has brought its expertise to bear on the field of electric vehicles, and we believe that it will benefit the entire auto industry. For instance, the new eVX is a compact SUV, yet it offers a range of 500 km on one charge”.
Ultimately, Suzuki plans to introduce no fewer than six battery electric vehicle ranges by 2030 in Japan and India, and five BEVs in Europe in the same timeframe, with the eVX rumoured to be a commercial reality in Japan within the next year, and in Europe shortly after that.
MORE MOBILITY
Alongside eVX, Suzuki showcased the eWX concept, a four-door compact EV with upright styling and plenty of quirky design touches, an upmarket cabin with dual integrated screens, and a bright paint scheme. While technical specs for the eWX aren’t out yet, Suzuki says the baby EV is suitable for a range of 230 km.
But it wasn’t all about electric cars for Suzuki at the Japan Mobility Show, however, as the company revealed several next-generation electric motorcycles and outboard motors, including an all-electric version of its popular Burgman scooter, called the e-Burgman, and a hydrogen-powered concept model.
LAST WORD
Slightly less important for our market, yet interesting nonetheless, Suzuki Motor Corporation announced plans to introduce its first fully electric motorcycles and outboard motors by next year, with a full range of eight different BEV motorcycles on the cards by 2030. There will be six electric outboard-motor ranges in the same period, and Suzuki will also investigate the use of carbon-neutral fuels for its internal combustion models.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW & BERNIE HELLBERG JR
