Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Maruti Udyog Ltd has launched its sports utility vehicle Grand Vitara. The vehicle is a completely built unit (CBU) import. Grand Vitara is built in Hamamatsu in Japan, small car capital of Japan. It is equipped with the latest safety features, the Grand Vitara XL-7 is the biggest, most powerful, most luxurious and most expensive vehicle in Suzuki’s line-up. It is a large and powerful 2.7 litre V6 powering a 1.6 tonne vehicle.
Grand Vitara is a good SUV, popular in the West, practical and fun. The old one in India and will be sold as a Maruti vitara and is quite popular, competing with such vehicles as the Tata Safari, Ford Endeavour and Honda CR-V. The Grand Vitara has a lot going for it, like its lush cabin and fantastic engine, along with its decent off-road ability with jewel-like engine, seven-passenger capacity and smart looks. Grand Vitara is a beauty on the road. It is a complete stunner of SUV. In addition, not just in its looks. It has all the goods to take it off road. What is the use of an SUV if you cannot have some fun in your vehicle?
The engine is one of a kind amongst Maruti Suzuki vehicles. The Grand Vitara has a 2736 cc, H27A V6 ENGINE WITH 6 CYLINDERS. It has 4 VALVES PER CYLINDER, which makes 24 VALVES. The fuel injection is the MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION TYPE (MPFI). Noticed something, a V6 engine, in India. In my limited knowledge, I cannot figure out any other vehicle in this price segment that has a V6.
![Maruti Grand Vitara](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/1148638192_0ef8eb12ce.jpg)
Style
The appeal of the Grand Vitara is enhanced by the more contemporary front it just has. The most notable changes is the headlamps which are in unison with the wider body coloured front grille which gives it the slick looks. The fog lamps are bigger and changes have been brought into the bumper and the air dam. Another feature added is the split 5-spoke alloy wheels.
These new features have given the Grand Vitara the aggressive power-look. Vitara is a sharp little truck. Positives include the honeycomb grille, clear lens headlights, wheel flares that impart a sense of power, and simple yet attractive bodylines. An aerodynamic roofline leads to a discreet tailgate spoiler and the spare wheel is retained on the rear door. New Vitara features larger rear combination lamps that integrate into the thicker “C” pillar design. Access to the cabin is easy; the boot has a side-hinged door (similar to the Ford Endeavour).
A clever piece of Suzuki’ engineering can be felt in the tailgate. Opening to a full 90 degrees, the gas strut for the side-hinged tailgate has a two-position stop. The first stop at about 65 degrees ensures that the tailgate – with its protruding spare wheel – does not accidentally swing into the path of passing traffic. At the same time, when the tailgate is in the intermediate position, the right hand taillight is un-obscured while illuminated at night – a useful safety feature.
Engine
The powerful Suzuki engine unleashes an additional 12PS of power output in the 2736cc engine of the Grand Vitara. A variable in take system has been introduced that increases the overall efficiency of the engine. The maximum power output of the Grand Vitara now rises to 168PS at 6000rpm and a maximum torque rises to 236Nm at 4000rpm.
![Maruti Grand Vitara](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1148636834_1cf7a30950.jpg)
Fuel and Economy
The Vitara, with its large, aggressively tuned V6 is like a great white shark, with big teeth. The 166bhp V6 delivers grunt by the bucketful, and is incredibly responsive. Tap the throttle to make up that gap in traffic or to slingshot past a truck, and the Grand Vitara will lunge forward, even from as low as 1500rpm. The rev-band is meaty throughout, so this portly 1.7-tonne SUV blitzes the ton as quickly as a Honda City VTEC! The Grand Vitara’s cruising ability is excellent, and the effortless manner in which you can overtake makes it a great highway car.
However, even more impressive than flat-out acceleration is the torque. Uphill sections were a revelation, the Grand Vitara merrily chugging up in third gear where other SUVs would struggle in second. On our off-road course, the transfer box never really needed to be shifted into low. However, the big, heavy Vitara, with its aggressively tuned 2.7-litre engine glugs heavily, barely making the 6.5kpl figure in the city and only managing 8.7kpl on the highway.
The Vitara’s ride and handling are what really peg it back. The body-on-frame construction and non-independent rear suspension make for unimpressive dynamics. The Grand Vitara thumps over poor surfaces, and feels unsettled on anything that is less than perfectly smooth. Floor the throttle on a bumpy or loose surface, and it’s easy to break traction. Potholes, ruts and speed-breakers are easily felt, and on an undulating surface, the Grand Vitara tends to pitch around, and feels nervous. The redeeming feature is the steering, which is fairly accurate and direct. Off-road however, it’s a different story: all that torque is put to good use. Short overhangs, good wheel articulation and the low range option will get the Vitara through most stuff. The long wheelbase may be a pain during ramp-over, especially when fully loaded.
![Maruti Grand Vitara](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/1148637796_bd1730948c.jpg)
Looks and build - the xl-7 is a face lifted version of the old Grand Vitara. The changes are less, but are good. The front used to look like the one in the photo shown above. On the xl-7, it looks much more elegant and macho looking. Headlamps are multi reflector. The grille is especially good with its chrome strip. The bumper has huge fog lamps. The side looks muscular and strong. The wheel arches and alloys look good. The tires are 16’’ inch. I feel that the side looks like that of a land cruiser. The rear is bland. The tail lamps are not even multi reflector. The spare wheel is placed at the back and it does not get a full cover either. The build quality is good enough for an SUV. The looks are okay and are good in the side. But the Pajero definitely gets the advantage here.
Interior
The interior has a lot of leather and wood. The seats are comfortable. The instrument panel is well laid out. The dash looks very attractive with wood and its LCD readout. Ergonomics are very good. There is plenty of space too. The second row has legroom, but not as much as expected. There is a third row though. Materials used in the interior are of good quality. For a car of its price, people will expect a luxurious interior (like in the Vector, Accord, Mondeo and Camry). The Vitara definitely has it. The Terracan is way behind. The Vitara is as good as, or better than the Pajero in some aspects.
Ride and Handling
Ride and Handling characteristics are according to the test drive on new Grand Vitara by the Whatcar magazine.
The Grand Vitara’s four-wheel-drive system carries four modes (all in a dial under the temperature control) for nearly all types of situations. The 4H mode is for navigating the highways and byways of everyday driving. The 4H locking mode locks the center differential when conditions get slippery. The 4L Lock mode is for tackling seriously muddy, rocky hills. In this mode the differential is always locked and will help to descent the muddy hills. The fourth mode is Neutral, which allows you to tow the vehicle on all four wheels without racking up mileage.
![Maruti Grand Vitara](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/1148638852_8401f7a669.jpg)
New Grand Vitara’s ‘built-in ladder frame’ construction when compared with the body on frame design of the predecessor permits lower floor heights, in turn lowering the centre of gravity despite the high ground clearance of 200mm. New Grand Vitara’s handling characters are good with Mcpherson strut suspension at the front and Multi link type at the rear. The brakes are ventilated disc at the front, leading, and trailing drum type at the rear. If offered in India this must be the only D segment SUV with drum brake at the rear which will easily make the buyers to keep distance from the new Grand Vitara. New Grand Vitara also falls in its Ride characteristic - the ride does not give any confidence to the new Grand vitara’s rider.
DIMENSIONS | ||||
Overall length | mm | 4,760 | ||
Overall width | mm | 1,780 | ||
Overall height | mm | 1,740 | ||
Wheelbase | mm | 2,800 | ||
Tread | Front | mm | 1,500 | |
Rear | mm | 1,500 | ||
Ground clearance | mm | 183 | ||
Minimum turning radius | m | 5.9 | ||
WEIGHT | ||||
Curb weight (min.) | kg | 1700 | ||
Gross vehicle weight | kg | 2300 | ||
ENGINE | ||||
Type | H27A V6 Type | |||
Cylinders | 6 | |||
Number of valves | 24 | |||
Piston displacement | cc | 2,736 | ||
Bore x stroke | mm | 88 x 75 | ||
Compression ratio | 9.5 : 1 | |||
Maximum output | bhp/rpm | 166 / 6,000 | ||
Maximum torque | Nm/rpm | 236 / 4,500 | ||
Fuel distribution | Multi point injection | |||
Maximum speed | km/h | 183 | ||
Steering | Rack & pinion | |||
Brakes | Front | Disc | ||
Rear | Drum | |||
Suspension | Front | MacPherson strut | ||
Rear | 5-link, rigid with coil spring | |||
Tyres | 235/60R16 Tubeless radial | |||
CAPACITY | ||||
Seating | 7 | |||
Fuel tank | litre | 66 |
![Maruti Grand Vitara](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1044/1148639166_70d7a1ad74.jpg)
Equipment Available In Grand Vitara XL-7
COMFORT | |||
Power steering | O | ||
Electric windows | O | ||
Central door locking | O | ||
Electrically adjustable outside mirrors | O | ||
Remote controlled door lock | O | ||
Auto air conditioning | O | ||
4 speakers | O | ||
Antenna | O | ||
INSTRUMENT PANEL | |||
Tachometer | O | ||
Lights-off reminder | O | ||
Cigarette lighter | O | ||
2 accessory sockets (on centre console and luggage compartment) | O | ||
Steering wheel (urethane) | 3-spoke type | ||
Steering lock | O | ||
INTERIOR | |||
Fade-out function room light (3-point) | O | ||
Map lights | O | ||
Sun Visor with vanity mirror (both sides) | O | ||
Day/night rearview mirror | O | ||
Overhead console | O | ||
Tilt steering column | O | ||
Seat lifter (driver’s side) | O | ||
Front / 2nd / 3rd seat material | Full fabric or leather | ||
Detachable front / 2nd / 3rd seat head restraints | O | ||
Front under-seat tray (passenger’s side) | O | ||
Front seatback pockets (both sides) | O | ||
Split folding 2nd / 3rd seatback | O | ||
Reclining front / 2nd / 3rd seats | O | ||
Sliding front / 2nd seats | O | ||
Floor and luggage compartment carpet | O | ||
Door trim | Moulded, cloth or leather accented | ||
Front door pockets (both sides) | O | ||
Rear door pockets (both sides) | O | ||
Sliding covered armrest storage compartment | O | ||
Front door armrests | O | ||
2nd-row centre armrest | O | ||
Portable ashtray | O | ||
Rear ashtray | 1 | ||
Sun shade print on front windshield | O | ||
Assist grips | 3 | ||
Coat hooks | 2 | ||
Cup holders | 7 | ||
Footrest | O | ||
Tool box (rear quarter) | O | ||
Underfloor storage compartment | O | ||
Remote fuel lid opener | O | ||
EXTERIOR | |||
Halogen headlights | O | ||
Foldable outside mirrors | O | ||
Front wipers (2-speed and variable intermittent) | O | ||
Rear window wiper and washer (1-speed and intermittent) | O | ||
Rear window demister | O | ||
Tinted glass windows | Green | ||
Coloured bumpers | O | ||
Body side moldings | O | ||
Chrome plated door handles | O | ||
Coloured outside mirrors | O | ||
Roof rails | O | ||
Spare tyre cover (disc type) | O | ||
Aluminum wheels | O | ||
SAFETY & SECURITY | |||
Drive select 4×4 system | O | ||
ABS with EBD (electronic brake force distribution) | O | ||
Dual airbags | O | ||
3-point ELR seat belts | (3-point exc. 2nd centre) | ||
Height adjustable seatbelt anchorage | O | ||
ISO-FIX childseat restraint system | O | ||
Child seat tether anchorage | O | ||
Child proof rear door locks | O |
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