Suzuki Trademarks Escudo, Torqnado Names in India; Could this be for Upcoming Electric Models?

Thanks to the sales of cars like the Grand Vitara, Baleno, and Fronx, the leading carmaker Maruti Suzuki had a successful 2023. Now, the brand intends to expand its product range in India with several new cars to maintain its market domination in 2024. In a recent development, Suzuki has trademarked the names Escudo and Torqnado. While the company filed to trademark these names in January 2024, they were approved this month. The names may refer to two of the eight new car models that Maruti Suzuki has promised to launch in the next four years. These offerings will be available across electric, petrol, flex-fuel, and hybrid powertrain options. New arrivals will also include the 2024 Swift, the next-gen Dzire, and the all-electric eVX.

Escudo, Torqnado Monikers Trademarked

Automakers often trademark a product's name to ensure that they have the copyright associated with it in the relevant market. It is interesting to note that Suzuki already markets the well-known Vitara SUV under the Escudo moniker in the Japanese market. But the Torqnado moniker is a brand-new addition to the portfolio. Even though auto manufacturers across the world often trademark several names for potential future use, not all of them are introduced as actual models.

Maruti Suzuki Upcoming India Launches

Maruti Suzuki has several new products slated for release in India, starting this year, including the next-generation Dzire and the Swift, which will be launched soon. However, the highlight for the company will be its long-awaited entry into the country's electric vehicle market with the eVX electric SUV.

The automaker's first battery-powered vehicle, the production version of the eVX concept, will be launched at the end of the year. With approximately 4,300mm in length, 1,800mm in width, and 1,600mm in height, the production-spec model will fit comfortably into the nation's fiercely competitive compact SUV market. The firm had previously stated that the 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack used in the eVX concept would allow for a maximum range of 550 kilometres. 

One of the anticipated features of the EV is a 360-degree camera, which is included in the base level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) package. Additional features include numerous airbags, a panoramic sunroof, touch-based controls for the air conditioning vents, adjustable power seats, ambient lighting, a rotary drive mode selector, and a rearview mirror. The air conditioning vents are positioned horizontally. 

Following this, the automaker will launch a micro SUV (codename Y43), a new three-row compact SUV (codename YDB), an electric MPV (codename YMC), an entry-level electric hatchback (codename K-EV), and a three-row Grand Vitara-based version (codename Y17). One of these models may get the recently trademarked names.