The Grand Vitara is definitely a fairly agricultural beast, but Suzuki has seen that the expectations of buyers of small four-wheel drives have moved on. The newest Grand Vitara has been designed to perform rather better on-road, starting with the fundamentals. The ladder-frame chassis went, replaced by a monocoque structure.
It looks very different, too, with a much sportier and more modern shape mixing cues from Suzuki's new swift and Toyota's very successful RAV4. The Grand Vitara's got bigger and 180mm longer compared to old car but it doesn't look much larger. Bugger wings provide a more aggressive stance and there are LED tail lights and a colour-coded cover for the spare wheel mounted, like on today's Vitara, on the trunk door.
Inside, there's a completely new look, and the ambience is a lot improved over that in previous versions. The triple-dial binnacle and neatly designed centre console are particular improvements. So too is that look, feel and usability of the switchgear. Really the only let-downs inside are leading seats, which we found a little small. As in Japan, UK cars will get front, side and curtain airbags - six in total.
The old car's cramped boot has been replaced with a useful 398-litre load bay, which is often extended by folding the seat back down or tumbling the trunk bench forward, although there is some wheel arch intrusion.
When it arrives in the UK, the newest Grand Vitara will be available with 1.6 and 2.0 petrols and a Renault-sourced 1.9-litre turbo desiel. All have five-speed manual transmissions, and the 2.0 litre has the possibility of four speed auto. The 2.7 V6 obtainable in Japan won't be offered in Europe; a brand new Euro4 compliant 2.5-litre engine is being developed, and arrives early next year.
The newest monocoque chassis uses independent MacPherson strut suspension throughout, and there's some genuine off-road hardware nestling underneath the Vitara's shell, Along side full time four-wheel drive there's also a locking centre differential and a generous 200mm of ground clearance. A quick off road test showed us that the Grand Vitara has lost none of its agility in the rough stuff, and there's a good low-ration gearbox for really sticky conditions.
Along some Japanese mountain roads the Suzuki felt like a very different animal to the old model. Regardless of the car's height there's minimal body roll, and grip and stability are much improved, although the 2.0 lacks the DaimlerChrysler-developed ESP of the 2.7 liter model. The 2.0-litre four is developed from the system in the current Vitara and, with just 1193 Nm to pull the car's 1550kg, it is hardly rapid. However, it's sprightly enough provided that you're not trying to find sparking performance and it's pleased to rev to the red line.
The suspension will be returned for Europe, so it's hard to provide a certain verdict on the ride, but this Japanese spec car rode comfortably along local mountain roads.
Last year, a brand new trim was also introduced to the series in the proper execution of LXi (O) that accompany better safety and additional comfort facilities. In terms of updates last year, this compact sedan received changes related to its exteriors, interiors and technical specifications as well.
In terms of exterior updates, it received a redesigned radiator grille, a somewhat tweaked headlight cluster and a modified bumper. Its cabin design remained much like its previous version. On another hand, it gets a brand new group of equipment including a force button start along side electric folding wing mirrors and a proficient smart key access. Furthermore, MSIL has added a rear parking sensor and a 6 speaker speakers including Bluetooth connectivity as well.
Engine Options:
Diesel:
The 2016 Maruti Swift Dzire diesel version is powered by exactly the same 1.3-litre DDiS power-plant, which also does the work for other popular Maruti cars. You can find perhaps no modifications to the engine specifications whatsoever. The sole update that people Suzuki Blind Van could see listed here is that the very best end ZDI variant gets an AMT transmission option. Entering further details, this fiat-sourced engine can create a maximum power of 74 bhp and a peak torque of 190 Nm. A five speed manual transmission gearbox can be obtained as standard across all variants.
Diesel Engine Mileage: 26.59 Kmpl (both manual and AGS)
Petrol:
The petrol version of Maruti Swift Dzire comes without the technical updates. It is exactly the same 1.2-litre VVT mill that comprises of 4 cylinders. This K Series engine can unleash an electric of 83.14 bhp and 115 Nm of torque. It remains being offered with a five speed manual and four speed automatic gearbox option.
Petrol Engine Mileage: 20.85 Kmpl (manual) and 18.5 Kmpl (automatic)
Mileage specified above is as per ARAI norms.
Exteriors Styling:
The car has a decent body structure with nice quality fit and finishes all-rounds. The 2016 version comes with a bigger radiator grille at front featuring honeycomb mesh. The company's logo sits in the center of the grille that renders a majestic check out its front. Like stated earlier, its headlight cluster too gets some tweaks in the proper execution of black finish inside. Increasing its dazzling effect, its fog lamp consoles are decorated with chrome plated strips. The side profile looks much like its previous version, without a lot of updates. Even the trunk profile too remains the same.
Exterior Measurements:
This car has an amount of 3995 mm, which will be important to receive Indian government's tax benefits. Its width is 1695 mm and overall height is 1555 mm. The car has a wheelbase of 2430 mm and a minimum ground clearance of 170 mm. and that makes for spacious interiors as well.