By Rosie Ogden
Ever since its launch in 1988, the Suzuki Vitara has been synonymous with city-oriented designs, compact and easy to manage dimensions, good on-road performance and genuine off-road capability, and over the years, the series has evolved through changes to both body size and powertrains.
Now, more than 25 years after the original model’s debut, an all-new Vitara has arrived, with smaller dimensions ‘to meet modern needs’ and incorporating Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-wheel drive system as an option. Advanced safety and connectivity equipment is also available, as are various personalisation options.
There’s a choice of two or four wheel drive, manual or automatic transmission, and two engines: the M16A 1.6-litre petrol engine or the D16AA 1.6-litre DDiS engine (this variant is expected in Cyprus in September).
With the petrol option, friction reductions combined with weight savings in the engine and related components help to achieve ‘excellent fuel economy together with high output and torque’. For the diesel engine, a new EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system and an electronically controlled VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) make for what the Japanese car maker says is “a powerful, torquey performance together with low emissions and Euro 6”.
The CO2 emissions for the petrol engine with two wheel drive and manual transmission are 123g/km and 127g/km for the petrol engine with two-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission.
Four-wheel drive is typically seen as detrimental to fuel economy and emissions performance. But Suzuki says its ALLGRIP system “enables CO2 emissions that are remarkably low for a four-wheel drive SUV with figures of 130g/km with five-speed manual transmission and 131g/km with six-speed automatic transmission”.
Meanwhile, the DDiS engine emits just 106g/km with two-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission and 111g/km with four-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission.
There’s a comprehensive list of active and passive safety equipment and the car received the maximum 5-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing.
“The new Vitara’s passive and active safety systems are designed to intelligently anticipate and react to potentially dangerous situations with an excellent level of protection” says Suzuki.
One of its major safety features is Total Effective Control Technology, which is a concept for occupant protecting impact absorption and low weight developed by Suzuki. Extensive use of high tensile steel and computer aided engineering technologies make the body light and highly crashworthy – as well as fuel efficient.
Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags which includes a driver’s knee airbag as well as seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters. Suzuki paid particular attention to child safety in accordance with latest European legislation, and pedestrian protection received the highest score amongst its competitors thanks to the shape of the bonnet and new structures for the cowl top and wipers.
Standard equipment for the GL includes seven airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, Cruise control with speed limiter, automatic air conditioning and front and rear electric windows.
The GLX adds leather seats, keyless entry with start button, Adaptive Cruise Control, Radar Brake Support, front and rear parking sensors and a panoramic sunroof.
From the initial development stage, the Vitara was designed with personalisation in mind. Diverse exterior colours and a range of design details enable owners to order a Vitara to suit their individual tastes. Customers can choose from ten body colour possibilities as well as five two-tone combinations. Several other items are available to further personalise the interior and exterior trim detailing.
Prices start at €17.500 for the GL+ 2WD Manual version, up to €22.800 for the GLX Diesel 4X4 Automatic.
