By Trish Whelan, MMAI
Suzuki has a 55-year heritage of expertise in off-road 4×4 vehicles, including 37 years of manufacturing its Vitara model, and now offers a 4WD option across its current line-up. The company has just introduced its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the e-Vitara, built on a newly developed platform specifically for electric vehicles. It will join the mild hybrid Vitara already available.
Suzuki Ireland says their target audience includes motorists curious about electric vehicles but hesitant to make the switch, often citing cost as a barrier. The company’s potential customers are likely to be value-conscious suburban or town drivers who enjoy technology.
The new version retains the familiar Vitara’s robust design, with high ground clearance suggesting an adventurous spirit. Deeply sculpted body lines, a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and large alloy wheels give it a commanding road presence. Inside, the cabin features high-quality materials, a well-thought-out layout, attractive seating, and appealing colour schemes.
Available in two trims — Motion and Ultra — and with two battery options, 49kWh and 61kWh, the model also offers Suzuki’s newly developed electric 4WD system, promising true go-anywhere capability. This system is available on Ultra models equipped with the larger battery.
During the recent Irish press launch, we had the opportunity to drive on a challenging forest track at Powerscourt Demesne in Enniskerry. The company’s ALLGRIP-e 4WD system employs separate motors for the front and rear wheels, allowing independent control of each. The two motors offer a maximum torque of 307Nm, 1.5 times that of the 2WD version with the smaller 49kWh battery.
To say we were pleasantly surprised by the car’s off-road ability is an understatement. Before we entered the woods, we were instructed to press the TRAIL button on the central console to optimise the vehicle’s performance on the muddy, twisty, and rut-filled track.
When slippage is detected, the system applies braking to the slipping wheels and activates a limited-slip differential to distribute torque to the opposite side, aiding smooth passage through muddy ruts. It worked flawlessly!
The car also comes equipped with hill descent control as standard, which automatically regulates braking on steep off-road terrain, along with the rear motor’s assistance to help navigate adverse terrain. A particularly handy feature when driving up a steep incline with limited visibility is the VIEW button on the lower dash, which projects the terrain beyond the hill onto the screen, allowing the driver to see what lies ahead.
Faced with two deep, lengthy ruts on either side of a grassy ridge — one over a foot deep, the other slightly less so — I feared the small SUV wouldn’t clear them unscathed. As I let the car’s system do the work, the loud thuds and bangs had me worried about damage to the undercarriage and side panels. However, it emerged completely unscathed, proving the vehicle’s build quality and good ground clearance. These traits should appeal to rural customers, including members of the farming community and those in construction.
The Irish distributor plans to sell 600 units within the first 12 months from launch in May. The 61kWh Motion 2WD model is expected to be the best-seller, followed by the Ultra 2WD with the larger, better-equipped battery. AllGRIP 4WD models are projected to account for around 18 per cent of sales.
The e-Vitara earned a 4-star safety rating from Euro NCAP last September. It comes with a 10-year build warranty and a 10-year battery warranty as standard, and owners can also benefit from a free Ohme home charge point.
I look forward to test-driving the vehicle on Irish roads — both good and bad — in the coming months.
PRICES: The entry-level 49kWh 2WD is priced from €32,995; the 61kWh 2WD from €40,405; and the 61kWh 4WD from €42,995. All prices include SEAI grant and VRT relief.
NEW BMW i3
 The new BMW i3 50 xDrive.jpeg
The new BMW i3 saloon is the first fully electric version in the five decades of the 3 Series and the second of BMW’s Neue Klasse series models to be released after the iX3 model, writes Trish Whelan. The i3 launches with the 50 xDrive model variant, powered by two electric motors which drive the front and rear axles to develop a combined system output of 469hp and 645Nm of torque. It can be charged at speeds of up to 400kW at an 800-volt DC charging station to drastically reduce charging times, resulting in up to 400km in just 10 minutes. BMW claims a range of 900km on a single charge.
Built at the home of BMW Group in Munich, production starts in August 2026 with first Irish customer deliveries expected in the autumn. Irish prices and specifications will be released closer to launch.
OPEL CORSA GSE HOT HATCH CONFIRMED
Erin King-Opel-FronteraÂ
Following the launch of the Opel Mokka GSE last year, the new Corsa GSE will be the next everyday sports car to bring electric performance to the road, writes Trish Whelan. Small, agile, and very practical, Opel’s Corsa is a best-seller for the brand, while the three letters ‘GSE’ stand for battery-electric high-performance and top dynamics. The Corsa GSE is the new all-electric, top-of-the-range version of that small car.
The Mokka GSE 281hp, the most powerful electric road car ever produced by Opel, and inspired by the Mokka GSE Rally and packaged in a GSE motorsport design, won the Golden Steering Wheel 2025 award as Best Small Car, immediately after its launch. Like the Mokka GSE, the new Corsa GSE will also be based on the current model generation. Germany’s most popular small car for five years in a row will feature electrifying design details, with ‘thrilling, locally emissions-free performance on the road’.
The new Opel Corsa GSE will be available to order this year. Further information to follow shortly.
CUPRA LAUNCHES APPROVED USED PROGRAMME
Cupra is inviting drivers to step into a pre-owned model with complete confidence through its Approved Used programme, a new certification scheme that brings the same standard of quality and excitement the brand is known for, writes Trish Whelan.
Every Cupra Approved Used vehicle undergoes a comprehensive inspection by trained technicians to ensure it delivers the quality, reliability, and driving experience customers expect. Buyers can benefit from 4.9% PCP APR Finance, a two-year warranty, two years of roadside assistance, and two years of free servicing as standard.
The programme spans the full model lineup, giving drivers access to a range of pre-owned models from petrol and diesel to plug-in hybrid and fully electric.
