News Release
More Power Better Economy with New Suzuki Grand Vitara Range
02 September 2008
A revised range of Suzuki Grand Vitara models with more power, improved economy and greater safety has been introduced to the New Zealand market.
In a range of improvement packages offering more for less, the choice of new Grand Vitara models has been extended to appeal to an even wider audience.
Mild visual body changes distinguish the 2009 model but the biggest changes lie under the skin of these highly capable four-wheel-drives.
Key features are the addition of an all-new 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine and an increase in engine size for the range-topping Grand Vitara V6 from 2.7-litres to
3.2-litres.
The latest Suzuki Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) offer higher on-road performance without compromising the off-road abilities that have earned the Grand Vitara worldwide appeal.
Suzuki is introducing the 2.4-litre engine in both 3-door and 5-door versions. Arrival of this latest power unit means there are now five different motors available in the Grand Vitara range, including a thrifty turbocharged diesel.
The variable valve timing 2,393cm3 J24B engine gains its extra capacity over the 1,995cm3 J20A engine via a larger bore, while the stroke remains identical.
Producing 122 kW at 6,000 rpm, the 2.4-litre unit is 18.4 percent more powerful than the 2.0-litre motor, while torque increases by 23 percent to 222 Nm at 4,000 revs.
It has balancer shafts while the propeller shift joints have been changed to sliding constant velocity joints to reduce vibration and noise.
There are new lower door seals and the front door glass thickness increases from 3.5mm to 4 mm, further reducing noise.
A choice of 5-speed manual gearbox and four-stage automatic transmissions are available in the 2.4-litre 3-door Grand Vitara, while two versions of the 2.4-litre
5-door come in standard or higher specification LTD forms, each with automatic transmission.
The new 3.2-litre V6 produces 165 kW – 22 percent more power than the outgoing 2.7-litre V6 – and a solid 284 Nm of torque.
Despite having more power and torque, the quad cam, variable valve timing V6 is a remarkable 9 percent more fuel efficient than the previous V6.
There are roller rocker arms for reduced friction and a new inverted tooth drive silent timing chain for reduced noise. A camshaft cover with constrained layer damping also lowers noise levels.
The V6 engine has connecting rods made from sinter forged steel and coil on plug ignition.
In the official combined Australian ADR fuel test cycle, the 3.2-litre V6 averages a class-leading figure of 10.5 litres/100 km.
Most economical of the range is the 1.9-litre DDiS turbo diesel 5-door manual with 7.0 litres/100 km after a reworking of the engine to lower fuel consumption by
8 percent.
Meanwhile, the competitively priced entry-level 1.6-litre 3-door model averages
8.6 litres/100 km consumption.
The 2.4-litre 3-door Grand Vitara achieves 8.8 litres/100 km (9.6 litres/100 km in auto form) and the 2.4-litre 5-door automatic averages 9.9 litres/100 km.
The 2.0-litre 5-door Grand Vitara benefits from revised tuning that improves economy and lowers CO2 emissions. The CO2 emissions reduce 9.5% to only 199g/km for the manual while the model returns fuel economy of 8.8 litres/100 km (9.1 litres/100 km for the automatic). It also gains side and curtain airbags as standard.
Both new 2.4-litre models feature four mode four-wheel-drive with selectable high-low gear ratios.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is standard on most models, and standard equipment includes six air bags, cruise control and ventilated disc brakes at the rear.
The sumptuous 2.4 LTD is packed with equipment, including leather upholstery, sunroof, mirror-mounted side indicators, and premium seven-speaker (plus subwoofer) sound system.
The flagship 3.2 litre V6 LTD Grand Vitara also features self-levelling, high intensity discharge (HID) projector-type headlamps with dusk sensors and washers are standard on V6, a first for a Suzuki model in New Zealand.
Another first is the hill descent control and hill hold function for the LTD V6, engaged by activating a dash-mounted switch and by selecting 4H lock or 4L lock modes.
Eighteen-inch aluminium alloy wheels are standard on the V6 LTD fitted with low profile road tyres for improved handling. All terrain tyres are fitted to other Grand Vitara’s.
The traditional five-spoke design 17-inch alloys are also standard on diesel and 2.4-litre 5-door versions.
Engineering changes have resulted in higher levels of refinement, with a two-decibel fall in cabin noise compared to the previous model on most models.
Subtle styling changes have been made to the good looking exterior body shape, with a new front bumper adding an extra 30mm to the overall length to accommodate the new V6 engine. At the same time, the new bumper improves pedestrian safety.
Front fog lamps are repositioned and the new Grand Vitara’s have a new grille with four-bar motif.
The information function is moved into the digital display which relays instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, driving range and average speed.
All models have back-lit steering wheel mounted switches, new sun visors with extension facility and a sliding centre arm rest, while the climate control air conditioner has been improved.
“An expanded, more rounded range will keep the Grand Vitara among the top SUV models in New Zealand,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Limited.
“The new line-up re-establishes this Suzuki as one of the premier compact SUVs on the market. This new model demonstrates everything the company has learned as one of the model leaders in providing world-class products that suit the lifestyle needs of our customers.”
“The LTD 3.2 V6 represents outstanding value with best in class fuel economy, range and braked towing capacity, along with impressive safety and comfort specifications,” said Tom Peck.
Arrival of the latest Grand Vitara range coincides with the tenth anniversary of the original Suzuki Vitara and Suzuki’s four-wheel-drive expertise extends back four decades.
While just one Vitara model was offered when the first generation model was introduced 20 years ago, there are now nine Grand Vitara models in the latest rendition with pricing starting from just $24,990 drive away.
