According to several websites, a leaked patent from Maruti Suzuki ended up revealing the name for the upcoming electric hatchback, the Futuro-E. The car will be based on the current generation Wagon R. Earlier today, we managed to catch the same car on test in Delhi NCR.
Gurgaon's notorious traffic jam meant we could get hold of how the cabin looks like. The interiors of the Maruti Suzuki Futuro-E shows the availability of automatic climate control which isn't found even on the top-spec trim of the Wagon R. Furthermore, what's interesting is the automatic gearbox which gets an inbuilt brake regeneration function.
This function basically comes in handy when you are going downhill or coming down a flyover or even see a redlight ahead. You just flick the lever into B so the regeneration of energy takes place via braking. In premium cars, this is done via KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). MG ZS EV, for instance, has KERS , however to keep the costs in check, Maruti will provide a manual function here. This will in turn help boost the overall driving range.
Also Read: MG ZS EV vs Hyundai Kona Electric Specification Comparison
Other details of the Futuro-E interiors, as mentioned above, talk about the availability of automatic climate control (even the top-spec trim of WagonR does not come with this feature). The air-con vents, multi function steering wheel and even the upholstery design has been borrowed from the WagonR. Also, it does not get adjustable headrests in any of the rows.
Furthermore, the 7.0-inch SmartPlay Infotainment system has been borrowed from the WagonR. It will support connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We surely hope that the manufacturers include a rear-view camera as it is a miss in WagonR for sure.
Coming to the exteriors now, the Futuro-E gets a split light design. The projector headlights and fog lights will feature on the lower part of the bumper and LED Daytime Running Lights on the top. It is not sure if the indicators will be placed on top of LED DRLs or not. The alloy wheels are borrowed from the Ignis and the rear profile packs a vertically placed taillights.
Also Read: Maruti Brezza 1.5L Petrol vs Ford Ecosport Petrol Spec Comparison
As of now, there are no details on the battery capacity of the Futuro-E but according to several reports, the claimed driving range is expected to be 180 km. While this may worry some folks, Maruti will also provide fast charging capability to the electric hatch. With the help of a DC charger, the batteries of the EV can be juiced from 0-80% within an hour. With the updated design and additions to the interiors, the price of the Futuro-E is expected to be under Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Render image in featured image via IndianAutosBlog
