All-New Vitara UK Press Launch in Lisbon, Followed by a Media Test Drive Event

Following the price and specs announcement, Suzuki GB PLC held a press launch event of the All New Vitara, followed with a media test drive event.

All lined up and ready to go...

UK journalists from various automotive medias gathered at the launch event, which took place in Lisbon.



The event began with a lunch party, followed by a press briefing, and a media test drive event.

A single-tone white coloured model

A red-coloured model equipped with the Rugged package

Another one, this time in blue

The Vitaras were tested both on and off road, showing off it's capability as an everyday car for all seasons.

A bit of off-roading in an All New Vitara

We can expect UK reviews from various automotive medias within the coming days. We'll keep you posted on that.

Sources:
Twitter

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Suzuki Vitara Prices to Start at £13,999 UK Sales Starts April

Suzuki GB PLC. has announced prices and specifications of the All-New Vitara, with sales starting in April.

The Vitara will be avaiable in 3 trim levels, the SZ4, SZ-T, and SZ5. A choice of 2 engines will be available at launch: a 1.6-litre petrol mated to a 5 speed manual transmission, and a 1.6-litre diesel mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. A 6 speed auto will be available for the petrol variants from summer 2015 onwards.

The range kicks off with the SZ4, which starts at £13,999. This basic trim level comes with a modest set of equipments, including seven airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, and projector headlamps.

The fleet-oriented SZ-T, which starts at £15,499, adds 17-inch silver painted alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, Smartphone link audio and navigation system.



The range-topping SZ5 starts at £17,999 and comes with LED Projector headlights, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, suede seat fabric, keyless entry with start button, Adaptive Cruise Control, Radar Brake Support and panoramic sunroof. Suzuki's AllGrip All Wheel Drive technology is available as an option for the SZ5.

The Vitara comes with various personalisation options, including 10 body colour possibilities, which includes two new colours and five two tone combinations, as well as a number of exterior and interior detailing options such as: Instrument panel trim (turquoise, orange, white, or piano black), Ventilation louvre rings (turquoise, orange, white, or piano black), Centrally located clock (CARBON or KANJI).

Further personalisation options includes the Urban and Rugged package, available for an extra £500.

The urban package consists of chrome-plated lamp bezels, body-side mouldings, and a roof spoiler 

The rugged package consists of front and rear skid plates, fog lamp bezels, body-side mouldings, and loading edge protection

Thanks to the use of high tensile steel and other weight saving measures in the body plus an Engine Auto Stop Start system which shuts down the engine when stationary, the Vitara delivers low CO2 emissions for both petrol and diesel engines. The CO2 emission figures are as follows:
- 1.6 petrol 2WD 5MT : 123g/km
- 1.6 petrol 2WD 6AT : 127g/km
- 1.6 petrol AllGrip 5MT : 130g/km
- 1.6 petrol AllGrip 6AT : 131g/km
- 1.6 diesel 2WD 6MT : 106g/km
- 1.6 diesel AllGrip 6MT : 111g/km

The Vitara also comes with a comprehensive list of safety kits including Radar Brake Support system and Adaptive Cruise Control (available on SZ5 models), Light, impact absorbing body, speed limiter, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), as well as tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Complete price list for the 2015 Vitara are as follows:

Model	Vehicle OTR Price
1.6 SZ4	£13,999
1.6 SZ-T	£15,499
1.6 SZ5	£17,999
1.6 SZ5 ALLGRIP	£19,799
1.6 DDiS SZ-T	£16,999
1.6 DDiS SZ5	£19,499
1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP	£21,299
Urban Pack (for SZ-T & SZ5)	£500
Rugged Pack (for SZ-T & SZ5)	£500
Metallic Paint (for all models)	£430
Dual-tone Paint (for SZ-T & SZ5)	£800

- Source: http://media.suzuki.co.uk/release/536/

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Hungarian Production of All-New Vitarato Start in March

Mass production of the All-New Vitara will begin on March 5th, 2015 in Magyar Suzuki's factory in Esztergom, Hungary.

The production was initially planned to start in January 2015, but was then pushed back to March due to a very long preparation process. It appears that Suzuki is working hard to ensure that the Vitaras made at their Hungarian plant will meet their standards. Hopefully this means the Vitara won't have any brake problems that the recently launched Celerio had.

The start of Vitara production not only marks Suzuki's return to the mainstream compact SUV segment, but also a shift in strategy for the Hungarian plant. So far, the Magyar Suzuki plant in Esztergom has been positioned as a production base for affordable family cars aimed at the Hungarian and European market. From this year forward, the plant will serve as one of Suzuki's global production hub. The plant currently exports to around 60 countries worldwide. The mid-term goal is to have more than 100 export destinations, and by 2018, 30% of the cars made at the Hungarian plant will be exported to countries outside Europe.

It was also announced that starting from this year, the Magyar Suzuki plant will produce an all new model every two years.

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