Extra vitality for Grand Vitara

Only Suzuki experts would readily pick the new Grand Vitara from the old. When it comes to facelifts, the upgrade for the Suzuki Grand Vitara is more a program of botox injections than a nip and tuck.

At the front, the bumper has been extended forward 30mm to make room for a new, larger-capacity V6 engine. Fog lights are set further apart and the grille has been revised, adopting a look that aligns the Grand Vitara with the small SX4 hatch. On the high-grade Prestige models, side indicators are integrated into the external mirror shells.

If time has virtually stood still for the Grand Vitara's looks though, there's been some real progress under the skin. Most importantly, there's a new 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that replaces both the 1.6-litre unit in the three-door model and the 2.0-litre four in the five-door variants. Over the top of the volume-selling four-cylinder, there are V6 variants fitted with a new 3.2-litre engine, in lieu of the 2.7-litre V6. The 1.9-litre turbodiesel soldiers on without change to output, but Suzuki engineers claim to have improved fuel economy by eight per cent (now 7.0L/100km).

Both the 2.4-litre engine and the new V6 have been developed from scratch by Suzuki in-house, and feature variable valve timing. For the 2.4, the variable valve timing only extends as far as intake valve modulation, but it's complemented by varying-length intake manifold runners. The V6 gains variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust systems.

Peak power for the four is 122kW produced at 6000rpm, and 225Nm of torque occurs at 4000rpm. Suzuki claims that the 2.4-litre engine develops 18 per cent more power and 23 per cent more torque than the superseded 2.0-litre engine. The improvements over the 1.6-litre engine that previously powered the three-door Grand Vitara are even more dramatic: a 67 per cent increase in power and a 62 per cent increase in torque. According to Suzuki's figures, at 8.9L/100km, the 2.4 is three per cent more efficient than the 2.0 with a manual (five-speed) transmission and two per cent more efficient with the four-speed auto, for a figure of 9.9L/100km.

Only available with a five-speed automatic transmission, the 3.2-litre V6 develops 165kW at 6200rpm and 284Nm at 3500rpm. Once again, the new engine is (22 per cent) more powerful than the smaller 2.7-litre V6 and musters 14 per cent more torque -- but in addition, it's nine per cent more frugal than the smaller engine, posting a fuel consumption figure of 10.5L/100km.

Transmissions for the 2.4-litre Grand Vitara are both carried over from the pre-facelift 2.0-litre variants and comprise a five-speed manual and optional four-speed automatic transmission. Suzuki has retained a five-speed automatic for the new V6, but it has been upgraded from the specification of transmission coupled to the 2.7-litre V6. The changes to the five-speed auto relate to shift points and coupling ratios, with the aim being to improve efficiency and launch feel. The turbodiesel carries on with just a five-speed manual transmission.

A lockable centre differential and dual range transfer system transmit torque to all four wheels in all variants, including the three-door models. Flagship Grand Vitara Prestige V6 models come equipped with a new Hill Descent Control system and Hill Hold Control. The driver can activate the two features by selecting lock mode in four-high or four-low and pressing a dash-mounted switch.

Stability control is now standard across the range, obviating the need for the previous model's limited slip differential. The ESP system is disabled once the driver selects the locked low-range transfer. Additionally, five-door models are now fitted with side-curtain airbags (previously available in just the Prestige grade) and all variants are fitted with rear disc brakes in lieu of the drums that featured in the superseded range.

Suzuki has addressed NVH by specifying a balance shaft for the 2.4-litre engine and the propeller shaft joints are now of the sliding CV-joint type. In addition, the five-door models gain a secondary seal on the lower door and thicker side glass in the front doors (up from 3.5 to 4mm in thickness). Suzuki claims that these changes have reduced noise levels in the cabin by approximately 2dB.

17-inch alloy wheels of a new design are optional for the five-door, four-cylinder variants and optional 18-inch alloys are available for the Prestige grade automatic variants (both four-cylinder and V6).

On the subject of pricing and model mix, the company has dropped the previous base-model V6 Grand Vitara. The 2.4-litre three-door variants and base-grade five-doors are $1000 more expensive than the earlier models. Even with the additional features (new engine, revised transmission, HDC and xenon headlights, see below for more details), the V6 Prestige model is just $3000 more than the 2.7-litre Prestige model. There's no change to the pricing of the diesel model and despite the added value and slightly increased pricing across the board (excluding the diesel Grand Vitara), the Suzuki range is still claimed to cost about $2000 less than its principal competitors.

Suzuki estimates that the new Grand Vitara range -- in five-door specification -- represents $3000 better value than Honda's CR-V and Toyota's RAV4, $2000 better value than the Nissan X-TRAIL and $1500 better value than the Subaru Forester.

Standard features and pricing follow:

Grand Vitara three-door manual: $24,990
Grand Vitara three-door auto: $26,990
Grand Vitara five-door manual: $29,990
Grand Vitara five-door auto: $31,990
Grand Vitara five-door manual (with 17-inch alloys): $30,990
Grand Vitara five-door auto (with 17-inch alloys): $32,990
Grand Vitara five-door turbodiesel manual: $34,990
Grand Vitara Prestige five-door auto: $36,990
Grand Vitara Prestige five-door auto (with 18-inch alloys): $37,490
Grand Vitara Prestige five-door V6 auto: $39,990
Grand Vitara Prestige five-door V6 auto (with 18-inch alloys): $40,490

Entry-level grade features: stability control, traction control, six airbags (including curtain airbags), rear disc brakes, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows/mirrors, remote central locking and remotely-located (steering wheel) controls for the MP3-compatible audio system.

Prestige grade features: Keyless start, leather trim, sunroof, MP3-compatible six-disc CD audio system, fog lights, Hill Descent Control, Hill Hold Control and xenon headlights.

Watch out for our launch review of the upgraded Suzuki Grand Vitara soon.

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