The current generation Vitara was introduced in late 2014, nearly 15 years after the original model's demise. The current Vitara marks a quite significant shift in concept from it's predecessors. It is the first ever Vitara to adopt unibody construction instead of separate ladder frame chassis, front instead of rear wheel drive, and a contemporary all wheel drive system without low range gearing. This "new age" Vitara is very much a contemporary urban SUV, some might even call it a crossover.
This departure from the concept of the original Vitara, which despite coming in a very much urban-friendly package, was a proper 4x4 with separate chassis and low range, is a very understandable move. This past few years have seen a significant surge in sales of city-friendly soft-roaders, more popularly known as compact SUVs. On the other hand, we have Suzuki, who practically invented this segment back in the late 80s, hadn't really have a significant presence in the compact SUV segment.
While other car manufacturers started to come up with softer and more city friendly designs, Suzuki kept holding on to it's traditional principle of building a proper 4x4. The trouble is, most people prefer those soft crossovers over rugged 4x4s. As a result, sales of Suzuki's existing SUVs, particularly the Grand Vitara, continued to plummet. It is then only logical that Suzuki decided to shift to the softer side of the SUV segment, and the all new Vitara very much reflects that move.
Although the new Vitara is a contemporary design, it also incorporates traditional Suzuki-SUV design elements, as well as on and off road capability through superior chassis and the AllGrip all-wheel-drive technology. These two are then combined with wide personalisation options, advanced navigation and safety features, and superb fuel economy, making the Vitara a very potent model.
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Development Story
Suzuki iV4 Concept
Suzuki unveiled the iV-4 Concept at the 2013 Frankurt Motor Show in Germany. The model previews a new B-Segment SUV which will be available by 2015.
The concept features elements of Suzuki's traditional SUV design, such as the clamshell hood, which was present in the first generation Vitara and the Samurai, the five-slotted front grille, which has been one of the main characteristic of the Jimny, and the blister fenders with kicked-up lines also present in the first generation Vitara.Those design elements were packed in a contemporary design, reflecting the modern lifestyle of today's SUV customers.
The iV-4 concept is designed with the theme "Grab Your Field", giving it a road-grabbing appearance, and a sense of ruggedness. The SUV is also designed to be highly customizable, with a wide range of personalization options available to choose from. The chameleon symbol used by Suzuki during the presentation of the car represents the car's character.
The concept is then displayed again at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, showing Suzuki's intention to market it as a global product.
Link to Suzuki's Official 65th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show special website
Spy Shots
During the unveil of the iV-4 Concept, Suzuki announced that a production version will be available in showrooms by 2015.
The production model, which was being developed under the codename "YAD", would have one of the lowest CO2 emission level and one of the highest fuel efficiency in it's class. In 2014, it was confirmed that the production model will be unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, before going on sale in late 2014 or early 2015.
Production prototypes of the "YAD" were spotted testing several times in 2014. The spy shots showed that the production model will have a less radical proportion compared to the concept, while the overall design theme appeared to be retained.
By mid-2014, rumour began to spread that the new SUV will revive the "Vitara" nameplate, as it is a model smaller than the Grand Vitara, while sharing similar design elements. But it wasn't until about a few weeks before the world premiere that Suzuki confirmed the return of the "Vitara" nameplate.
The World Premiere
The All New Vitara was unveiled at the 2014 Mondial de L'Automobile, more commonly known as the 2014 Paris Motor Show. European sales of the model will beang early 2015. Prior to the sales launch, the Vitara was displayed at a number of European motor shows. Media test drives were also held.
Models and Specs
Customization Options
The Vitara was developed with personalisation, both in exterior and interior design, in mind. The model is available in 15 body colour choices, including 3 new colours (Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic, Horizon Orange Metallic, and Savannah Ivory Metallic) and a number of two tone combinations.
Not only that, there are also other items enabling owners to further express themselves by personalising the new Vitara’s interior and exterior details:
- Front grille (white or black)
- Fender garnishes (white or black)
- Instrument panel ornament (turquoise, orange, white, or piano black)
- Louvre rings (turquoise, orange, white, or piano black)
- Centrally located clock (CARBON or KANJI)
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| Interior personalisation options for the All-New Vitara |
Further, the owner can emphasise the new Vitara’s on or off-road credentials by choosing from two accessory packages:
- The urban package adds sophistication by means of chrome parts. It consists of fog lamp bezels (chrome-plated), body-side mouldings, and a roof spoiler.
- The rugged package emphasises SUV toughness. It consists of a front skidplate, a rear skidplate, fog lamp bezels, body-side mouldings, and a loading edge protection.
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| The Urban package (left), and Rugged package (right) |
Engines and Transmissions
The Vitara will be powered by a choice of a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel engine, both taken from the slightly larger SX4 S Cross. Suzuki said that the engines have been further improved, giving even lower fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels than that of the S Cross.
The petrol engine can be mated with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, enabling drivers to change gear using paddles on the steering wheel. The diesel on the other hand, can only be mated with a 6-speed manual transmission. All models can also be fitted with Suzuki’s AllGrip all-wheel-drive technology, first seen on the SX4 S Cross.
CO2 emission levels of all the engine and transmission options are as follows:
1.6 petrol 5MT : 123g/km | 1.6 petrol 6AT : 127g/km | 1.6 petrol 5MT All Grip : 134g/km |
1.6 petrol 6AT All Grip : 138g/km | 1.6 diesel 6MT : 106g/km | 1.6 diesel 6MT All Grip : 111g/km
Special Features
The Vitara will be equipped with comprehensive safety features including a decent number of airbags, ESP, RBS (Radar Brake Support) which prevents or mitigates a collision, and adaptive cruise control for more relaxed driving.
Top-end variants of the Vitara will also have panoramic sunroof, as well as display audio system with touch screen controls and smartphone connectivity.
Production
Magyar Suzuki Hungary
Mass production of the All New Vitara began in early 2015 at Magyar Suzuki’s Hungary plant. The Hungary-made Vitara will also be exported to numerous countries all over the world, as the model is destined to be a global product. Suzuki set a production target of 70,000 units in the first year.
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