Ever since its market launch in 1988, the Suzuki Vitara series has earned acclaim for stylish, city oriented designs, compact, easy to manage dimensions, comfortable on-road performance, and genuine off-road capability.
The series has evolved through changes in body size and powertrain. Now, more than 25 years after the original model’s debut, the Vitara heritage is embodied in a fresh sport utility vehicle incarnation. The all-new Vitara has smaller dimensions to meet contemporary needs. It incorporates Suzuki’s cutting-edge ALLGRIP four wheel drive system and advanced safety and connectivity equipment, it also enables owners to express themselves through various personalising options.
The new Vitara will go into production at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary in early 2015, and will then make its market debut across Europe. It will later be exported around the world as Suzuki’s global compact SUV.
The new Vitara expresses Suzuki’s SUV styling heritage in a strong looking design. A clamshell bonnet (a hallmark of the Vitara series) gives the front end a look of solidity, and a trapezoid motif front bumper indicates a powerful grip on the ground. Kicked-up body-side character lines and bonnet-side air outlets form motifs from the first generation Vitara. Shoulder lines running the entire length of the body contribute to a look of SUV toughness. Plus, Suzuki’s pursuit of great aerodynamics is reflected in optimally designed bumper openings, in a roof line that slopes smoothly downward toward the rear, in flat underbody surfaces, and in side mirrors and front bumper edges whose shapes are based on the results of airflow analysis. LED headlamps with blue projector covers attribute to energy saving while also creating a cool impression.
A boldly shaped instrument panel garnish and a U-shape design around the shift lever communicate SUV toughness. A round clock and air outlets, which are both motifs of the Grand Vitara, give the interior a youthful, sporty look.
From the initial development stage, the model is designed with personalisation in mind. Diverse exterior colours and a range of design details enable owners to express their individual personalities. Each customer can choose from 15 body colour possibilities that include three new colours and several two tone combinations.
The new Vitara is powered by the M16 1.6-litre petrol engine or the D16AA 1.6-litre diesel engine. With the petrol option, friction reductions combine with weight savings in the engine and related components to realize superior fuel economy together with high output and torque. For the diesel engine, a new EGR system and an electronically controlled VGT help to achieve powerful, torquey performance together with low emissions and superior fuel economy.
Suzuki evolved its renowned four wheel drive technologies into a new generation that delivers driving pleasure and peace of mind in diverse conditions while promoting economy and limiting the burden four wheel drive cars place on the environment. Suzuki calls this new generation ALLGRIP.
An ALLGRIP system with four driver-selectable modes that permit safe, enjoyable driving on diverse surfaces debuted in the Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS and has since earned a great reputation. This system is enhanced by the addition of a feed forward function.
The new Vitara’s ALLGRIP system uses a feedback function to send more torque to the rear wheels if it detects wheelspin at the front. The new feed forward function gives the system the additional ability to predict front wheelspin risks from the road surface condition, accelerator pedal position, and steering angle and then send more torque to the rear wheels before wheelspin occurs.
