UK gets diesel 3-door Suzuki Grand Vitara
Click image for photo gallery
It used to be that US buyers could regularly choose 2- or 3-door (if they were closed-roof models) small SUVs if they felt that's what suited their needs. They included the Samurai, and later, the Sidekick from Suzuki, the Isuzu Rodeo, and the Toyota RAV4, just to name a few. Today, our market's loaded with small SUVs, but they're all on longer wheelbases and sport four doors and a rear hatch, just like their larger brethren.
In other markets, you can still get the smaller SUVs from some manufacturers, however. We like the 3-door Suzuki Grand Vitara quite a bit. It keeps the Vitara's good looks, but compresses them into a short, buggy-like package. This week, Suzuki UK announced the availability of a diesel version of the small Grand Vitara, which to us seems like a seriously versatile little machine. A 4x4 sized like a commuter car that manages 38.2 mpg on the combined cycle definitely has some appeal. Keep in mind that the Brits generally use imperial gallons in their ratings. If that's indeed the case here, we'd be lower - around 32 mpg (thanks to Brian in the comments for correcting me). Still pretty nice. If you were given the option, would you choose something like this over one of the current misers (i.e. Fit, Yaris, Prius)?
Press release after the jump.
[Source: Suzuki UK]
Gallery: Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door
PRESS RELEASE:
3-DOOR DIESEL MODEL JOINS SUZUKI'S GRAND VITARA LINE-UP
Customers opting for a diesel powered Suzuki Grand Vitara have until now been restricted in their choice to the larger 5-door bodystyle, but a new 3-door model joins the range from April, priced at a competitive £14,999 on-the-road.
Unlike its petrol-engined 3-door sibling, which is essentially a 'soft roader', the new 1.9 DDiS Grand Vitara adopts the drivetrain of the manual transmission 5-door models and supplements permanent four-wheel drive with a centre differential lock and a low range to ensure serious and outstanding off road capability. It can therefore tackle tough, muddy off-road conditions with ease, while the system's four different modes are easily selected via a dash-mounted rotary switch.
Power output from the Renault-supplied intercooled and turbocharged engine is 129 PS, and a hefty 221 lb ft (300 Nm) of torque peaking at 2000 rpm delivers reassuring ability in both on and off-road driving situations. Such output doesn't penalise fuel economy either, and the 1.9 DDiS 3 door Grand Vitara achieves 38.2 mpg on the combined cycle, while carbon dioxide emissions are 195 g/km.
In line with other Grand Vitara models, equipment levels are generous, and include climate control air conditioning, front electric windows, an integrated radio/CD player with steering wheel mounted audio controls, tinted glass, tilt adjustable steering, reclining rear seats, heated and folding door mirrors, immobiliser, alloys and front fogs. Outstanding safety credentials include front, side and curtain airbags for front seat occupants, plus curtain airbags in the rear.
Thanks to a unique lightweight monocoque body combined with a stiff, built-in ladder frame, rigidity matches the most traditional of off roaders. In contrast to the 5-door model's understated elegance, the 3-door with its 'crouched' muscular form projects a more sporty persona. A relatively long wheelbase has permitted a roomy cabin with front and rear legroom comparable to that of models from a higher segment.
The 1.9 DDiS 3-door joins a line-up comprising 1.6-litre VVT and VVT+ 3-door manual models; 2.0-litre 16v 5-door manual and automatic models; and 1.9 DDiS 5-door manual model.
MODEL GRAND VITARA DIESEL M/T 3 DR
TRANSMISSION |
Manual |
|
|
DIMENSIONS |
|
|
|
Overall length |
mm |
4405 |
|
Overall width |
mm |
1810 |
|
Overall height |
mm |
1695 |
|
Wheelbase |
mm |
2440 |
|
Front track |
mm |
1540 |
|
Rear track |
mm |
1570 |
|
Ground clearance |
mm |
200 |
|
Turning circle |
m |
10.2 |
|
Boot capacity rear seatbacks raised |
litres |
184 (VDA method) |
|
Boot capacity rear seatbacks lowered |
litres |
516 (VDA method) |
|
WEIGHTS |
||
|
Kerb weight |
kg |
1570 |
|
Gross vehicle weight |
kg |
1870 |
|
Braked trailer weight |
kg |
1600 |
|
Unbraked trailer weight |
kg |
550 |
|
Gross train weight |
kg |
1870 |
|
Nose weight |
kg |
85 |
|
ENGINE |
||
|
Type 1.9 F9Q |
Compression ignition, four stroke |
|
|
Cylinders |
4 in line |
|
|
Fuel distribution |
High pressure common rail direct injection |
|
|
Piston displacement |
1870 |
|
|
Bore x stroke |
mm |
80.0 x 93.0 |
|
Compression ratio |
17.0.1 |
|
|
Max. power |
kW @ rpm |
95 @ 3750 rpm |
|
Max. torque |
Nm @ rpm |
300 @ 2000 rpm |
|
EMISSIONS / FUEL CONSUMPTION |
||
|
CO2 (Combined) |
g/km |
195 |
|
Urban |
mpg |
31.4 |
|
Extra urban |
mpg |
43.5 |
|
Combined |
mpg |
38.2 |
|
Fuel tank capacity |
litres |
55L |
|
TRANSMISSION |
||
|
Type |
Mechanical, 5 speed synchromesh |
|
|
1st gear ratio |
3.854 |
|
|
2nd gear ratio |
2.135 |
|
|
3rd gear ratio |
1.411 |
|
|
4th gear ratio |
1.000 |
|
|
5th gear ratio |
0.784 |
|
|
Reverse ratio |
3.854 |
|
|
Transfer ratio |
LOW=1.970, HIGH=1.000 |
|
|
Final gear ratio |
4.300 |
|
|
Maximum speed |
mph |
105 |
|
0-62 mph |
sec |
12.6 |
|
0-100 km/h |
sec |
12.8 |
|
CHASSIS |
||
|
Steering |
Hybrid, mechanical rack & pinion (POWER STEERING) |
|
|
Front suspension |
MacPherson strut and coil spring |
|
|
Rear suspension |
Multi Link/ Coil Spring |
|
|
Front brakes |
Diagonal split, servo assisted ventilated discs, ABS |
|
|
Rear brakes |
Drum, leading and trailing |
|
|
Tyres |
225/65R17S or (spare225/70/16S) |
|
|
Wheel size |
16 x 6J or (spare 16 x 6.5J ) |
|
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bill cottell 2:47PM (3/23/2007)
what we need here a great addition with manuel trans
Reply
Mike 2:46PM (3/23/2007)
I like it enough and wish it was offered here, but in profile it reminds me a little too much of the 1st gen Rav.
I'd take a Pajero over this any day.
Reply
Brian Hague 2:50PM (3/23/2007)
actually that's 31.8 non imperial MPG, still not bad for an SUV...
Reply
ellerton 4:27PM (3/23/2007)
It looks just like a last gen Freelander for cryin' out loud
Reply
Tim UF 2:58PM (3/23/2007)
give it a folding top and substantial rollbar, it could slot into the market vacated by the Wrangler (too big now) and old Isuzu Amigo/RodeoSport (and to a lesser extent, the Suzuki x90, The rav42door convertible, and the kia sportage 2door convertible).
Reply
Kowell 3:29PM (3/23/2007)
Damn.... I've been acking to get one ever since I saw the japanese version 1½ year ago....Bring it over here please!
Reply
Chaz 4:26PM (3/23/2007)
I would definitely give this serious consideration if made available here-- especially with a good grunty diesel. It's almost exactly what I'm looking for! I really dig Suzukis and I would probably have one in the driveway right now, but unfortunately their dealer network here in the Atlanta area simply bites.
Reply
michael.r.felkins 5:20PM (3/23/2007)
I have been looking for a small 4x4 for daily commuting. Why, you say? The occasional 12 inches of snow we get here in Minnesota. This looks like just the thing.
Reply
Jim 4:10PM (3/23/2007)
It would make a pretty cool all-weather commuter, just add some all-terrain or mud tires. I'm tired of wagons, it would be nice if there were more two-door hatchbacks available.
Reply
H 4:43PM (3/23/2007)
i agree. it looks like the old freelander. especially the bonnet.
Reply
CaliberSRT4 4:56PM (3/23/2007)
Bring this over!!! Chevy needs to make a 2 door Tahoe too.
Reply
Howard Kerr 5:05PM (3/23/2007)
Isn't one of the big reasons (no pun intended) that small 3 door SUVs aren't sold here is that they invariably get lower crash scores than the nearly identical 4/5 SUV?
Most SUVs started out as 3 doors but thanks to our governments goofy laws, the Japanese/imported 3 door SUVs are taxed/tariffed at a higher rate than 4/5 door SUVs so they wind up being MORE expensive.
Reply
RaslDasl 5:12PM (3/23/2007)
Shouldn't a truck this small just be the Vitara, not Grand Vitara? Or, perhpaps if Starbucks was selling them, the Tall Vitara? And then the XL7 could be the Venti Vitara.
Reply
ebm14 12:04PM (3/24/2007)
The US should do away with the stupid tariff since hardly any 3rd utes are sold here anymore. But lets face it, it would be nice to see the Mitsubishi
Pajerp and Suzuki 3rd on our roads instead of the boring 4 doors boxes.
Reply
W L Simpson 5:36AM (3/25/2007)
Runflats would do wonders for this genre of styling. exposed spare tires went away 70 odd years ago
Reply
Bill Roberts 9:59AM (3/26/2007)
I had a Samari and would look into one of these too to get back and forth to work. I miss that little jeep.
Reply
KickPush 4:56PM (4/02/2007)
I think the reason the small two doors didnt sell well in the USA was because of the ego thing that happened with the HUGE suv. The big ones became a status ride.
Reply
steve 8:41AM (6/05/2007)
i have a Grand Vitara and the out side temp is not working, can some one olease tell me wear this is, so i can get a new one or sort this one out
Reply
JJ Joseph 3:01AM (6/12/2007)
This thing is not as small as it looks - it's bigger than a 4-dr Vitara, and besides it's also got rack-and-pinion steering which is totally gay for off-roading. This is just a town car for going shopping when it snows.
Reply