Suzuki Grand Vitara to go 2WD, too

Suzuki will introduce the first ever two-wheel-drive version of its Grand Vitara when the upgraded SUV range goes on sale next month, finally giving the struggling Japanese brand a player in the fastest growing part of Australia’s booming compact SUV segment.

First images of the third-generation Grand Vitara facelift – which brings a new-look front-end with chrome highlights – were leaked to Carscoop two weeks ago and have subsequently appeared on numerous websites without attribution.

Suzuki is still yet to issue a formal release, but Suzuki Australia Communications Manager Andrew Ellis confirmed the legitimacy of the images and said the same changes will apply to the local line-up that will be released without fanfare in late August.

Mr Ellis would not confirm the release of a 2WD variant within a refreshed AWD Grand Vitara line-up that will continue to include two body styles and three engines, but motoring.com.au has learned the first 2WD Grand Vitara will be a five-door wagon fitted with the same 122kW/225Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in other models.

The first 2WD Grand Vitara will be priced below the cheapest existing five-door manual ($28,990 plus on-road costs) but above the entry-level GV3 three-door AWD (from $24,990).

To be available with the same five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions as the rest of the Grand Vitara range - except the $34,990 manual-only DDiS diesel ($34,990), the auto-only Prestige four-cylinder flagship ($37,990) and the top-shelf (five-speed) auto-only 3.2-litre V6 model ($41,990) – the new 2WD should also consume less fuel than the most frugal AWD petrol-powered Grand Vitara (8.8L/100km).

Motoring.com.au understands the Grand Vitara upgrade will also bring improved fuel consumption for the 1.9-litre diesel, which should cut its thirst from a current 7.0L/100km to about 6.7L/100km.

But it will be the availability of a 2WD for the first time that marks the biggest mechanical change for one of the oldest SUVs on the market, and one of the few that still offers a low-range transfer case, giving it true off-road capability.

In fact, when Toyota launched an advertising campaign billing its latest RAV4 – released here in 2005 – as “the original SUV” in October 2009 (shortly before the first 2WD RAV4 was introduced here in April 2010, lowering its price by almost $5000), Suzuki pointed out that its first compact SUV was released six years before the RAV4 in 1988.

“It’s one thing to make a lot of noise about being the original compact SUV - it’s another to actually prove it,” said Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers in an October 2009 press release. “Suzuki was, without doubt, the company that started the compact SUV segment in 1988 with the original Vitara.

“Toyota showed a concept version of a compact SUV at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, but the first RAV4 did not go on sale until 1994. “I’m not sure how anyone could claim to be the original when presented with cold hard facts like that.

“For nearly 40 years Suzuki has been the trend-setter in engineering compact SUVs and, unlike our competitors, we have maintained our commitment to providing an SUV with full-time 4WD and a low-range transfer case,” said Mr Devers at the time.

However, while Suzuki will continue to offer the Jimny – which combined a compact body, ladder frame, rigid axle suspension, dual-range transfer case and 4x4 for the first time in 1970 - the first 2WD Grand Vitara will dispense with Suzuki’s trademark full-time 4WD and low-range gearing.

It will, however, give Suzuki a contender in the ‘sweet spot’ of Australia’s compact SUV segment, sales of which are up almost 70 per cent so far this year, with more than half the growth coming from sub-$30,000 2WD models like the Nissan Dualis (from $24,990), Jeep Patriot (from $25,000), Mitsubishi ASX (from $25,990), Skoda Yeti (from $26,290), Jeep Compass (from $26,500), Hyundai ix35 (from $26,990), VW Tiguan (from $28,490) and Peugeot 4008 (from $28,990).

Of course, although VFACTS now categorises them as mid-size SUVs, most of the Grand Vitara’s direct competitors are now also available in cut-price 2WD guise, including the RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Holden Captiva 5, Kia Sportage, Renault Koleos and even the Jeep Cherokee, leaving only the Subaru Forester and, for now, Honda CR-V without an entry-level 2WD variant.

Unlike most of those rivals however, the 2WD Grand Vitara offers a point of difference: rear-wheel drive. Information to hand also hints that the 2WD GV will retain the 4WD's ground clearance, making it more capable than most of its direct competitors operating in tougher terrain or towing boats.

Sales of the current Grand Vitara – launched here in September 2005, before receiving a major midlife facelift in September 2008 and extra standard equipment last October – are static with 1682 sold to June this year, although Suzuki’s overall sales are down by more than six per cent in 2012.

As evidenced by these official images of the domestic-market 2013 Grand Vitara, which is known as the Escudo in Japan, the subtle facelift brings a new grille with twin bars in the shape of wings and a lower chromed bar, a revised front bumper with chromed lower skid plate, black headlight bezels and new alloy wheels.

In Japan, there is also a new special-edition ‘X-Adventure’ model in a unique Bison Brown Pearl Metallic paint colour and fitted as standard with 18-inch wheels, a chromed grille, privacy glass, rear spoiler, sunroof suede trim with red accents for the seats, steering wheel and gear shifter.
 
Australian Grand Vitaras will also offer revised seat and door trim materials and colours, and will continue to come with a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate.

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