Maruti Suzuki has always been known for small cars. There was the occasional Omni and the Gypsy but that made little difference to its image. It has made a brave attempt to give more choices to car buyers in India by offering an advanced version of the new
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the SUV.
That is right Maruti Suzuki has launched a new version of Grand Vitara recently. This new vehicle ranks as the third major new car launch after A-star and Ritz this year. New Grand Vitara with manual transmission will be priced Rs 16.67 lakh and the one with automatic transmission will be priced Rs 17.97 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) onwards.
The new SUV will be powered by a 2.4L VVT petrol engine teamed with either the 5-speed manual transmission or the 4-speed automatic transmission. The new enhanced engine provides 163.5 bhp of power and 225Nm torque.
On the exterior it has received bolder looking headlamps which are capable of providing wider scope of illumination. Grand Vitara looks too have been revised. It now sports a prominent gaping grille to denote its hunger for more performance. A sleek looking front bumper in body colour gives its a sporty yet masculine look. The wheels to have been upgraded to the 17 inch alloy wheels which give it enhanced traction and support to the car.
The interior styling has been revamped to suggest a more upmarket ambience. The interior comes with a bold look and is loaded with the latest gadgets an gizmos. It is equipped with the latest multi-information display unit which gives remarkably clear graphical description on vehicle functions like the cruising range, average speed, fuel consumption and low fuel warning.
Entertainment in the new Maruti Suzuki SUV is heightened by the high quality of equipment. A centre speaker comes with a 6-CD changer. Improved acoustics enhance the surround sound effects in the cabin. The redesigned body construction and the well designed engine compartment helps reduce vibration and harshness while the cabin enjoys lower noise levels.
The front seats centre console armrest with a sliding feature adds to passenger comfort. All this features in the Grand Vitara helps add convenience to driving the new SUV.
Grand Vitara comes with an all time 4-mode 4-wheel drive which enhances its stability on the rough terrain. For added safety it has been equipped with massive disc brakes on the rear wheels which help provide it superior braking power and added stability on the toughest of the terrain. Other safety features on the car include Antilock brakes with electronic braking differential, two front airbags and brake assist.
The upgraded engine will remove all apprehensions in the minds of Indian car buyers. Since the new
Grand Vitara is more of a lifestyle SUV and a workhorse. Grand Vitara has been a highly successful model in Suzuki markets across the world. Whether, the same will be repeated in India is something that the automotive industry will watch carefully.
