Show more Photos
 

Related Content

• » All-new Astra debuts in Frankfurt
• » Frankfurt media days are over!
• » Extended Quattroporte range offers more to the kee...
• » Photos : Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki's Grand Vitara gets serious

Suzuki has created its new Grand Vitara pretty much from a blank sheet of paper, sharing nothing but its name from the outgoing model. The new car has been designed to widen its appeal to buyers that now have more options in the market, including crossover vehicles such as Mitsubishi's Outlander, and the spanking new Toyota RAV4.

It is not unusual that Suzuki has developed distinct characters for the three and five door versions, with the former sitting on a shorter wheelbase and featuring a sportier body design. However, Suzuki has bravely decided that buyers of the three-door are not really looking for a real off-roader, so that car does without the low ratio transfer 'box and centre differential lock fitted as standard to all five-door models. A new full-time four-wheel drive system is utilised by both cars, with four distinct modes of operation available in the five-door.

New 1.6-litre and 2-litre petrol engines will be available as soon as the car hit the dealerships at the same time as the Frankfurt Show launch. The necessary diesel option arrives later in the year in the form of a Renault-supplied 1.9-litre turbocharged unit providing 127bhp and a useful 221lb.ft of torque to aid towing. All models come with a five-speed manual as standard, with an automatic option on the 2-litre petrol model only at present. There has not yet been any news whether or not the outgoing car's excellent V6 petrol engine and automatic 'box combination will be available.

Indications are that the Grand Vitara will be excellent value for money, with the three-door 1.6-litre starting at £12,699, and the most expensive 2-litre model at £16,449. All models feature as standard climate control, front electric windows (and rear on 5-door models), steering wheel-mounted audio controls, remote central locking, reclining rear seats, folding door mirrors, driver and front passenger front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags and an immobiliser.

Send by Messenger

Email this article

 Print