Suzuki Vitara

Given the current boom in the small SUV segment, driven among others by the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, many builders who are trying to launch it, and even to revive it: the if Suzuki Vitara that resurrects the at the Paris Motor Show 2014 edition.

It is sometimes difficult, pioneer life: launched in 1988, it can be considered that the Suzuki Vitara has cleared the small segment of 4 × 4 (we were not talking yet SUV at the time!). But between 1988 and today, the first wrinkles have been there, and overweight were right Vitara, so that the latter, by acquiring a 5-door familiarly the 4m50, acquired the name Grand Vitara.
But today, the Grand Vitara comes back to his first love: (re) becoming Vitara, it also reduced its some 30 centimeters template to achieve the long 4m17. And put water in his wine with his permanent AWD and its lockable center differential, the Grand Vitara was almost fossil figure in the world of 4 × 4 SUV became territory, and has attracted 83 french for the first six months of the year. Aware of the new turn of the market, therefore Vitara offers the choice of two or four wheel drive, and softened its lines: if the design is relatively "square", it seems any less than before utility.
The new Vitara is inspired by the concept car iv-4 presented last year . But as so often, between the concept car and the transition to the series, there is a world if it remains relatively close to the iv-4 which was rather successful, the Vitara suffers from a design which, while not ugly, unfortunately reveals tasteless.

But to meet all the Vitara out his joker: personalization. Like the Renault Captur (to stay in the small SUV segment) and Swift (to stay with Suzuki), the Japanese SUV offers the option of a roof of a different color from the rest of the body . Parisian salon, three configurations were well visible: white / black top, brown / white roof, and my most successful direction blue / white roof. In all, 15 different body colors will be offered to customers, and two roof colors (white and black).
Customization can also be found inside the car: the Grand Vitara can thus adopt a headband browsing the dashboard taking the body color. If we can rail against the hard plastic used on the assembly quality appeared to me at the show just fine. But as outdoors, we regret this lack of fantasy.

In losing its prefix "Great", and opting for a personalized offer, the Vitara also reviewing its engine range: exit the diesel 130 hp Renault origin. This leaves room for a 1.6 engine 120hp (106 g CO2 / km for the version 2WD, 111 for version 4WD) from Fiat, already seen on the Suzuki S-Cross (for his competitor Peugeot 3008 and Nissan Qashqai, which indirectly replaces the Grand Vitara). In essence, the only proposed offer also develops 120hp.
Depending on the customer's choice (gasoline or diesel, two or four-wheel drive), its weight ranges between 1,075 and 1,200 kg, which seems relatively content. What to allow the new Vitara refueling equipment: he trades such as all-wheel drive of the old model in favor of a system called "All-Grip" which, according to the mode (Auto, Snow Sport and Lock), involves whether the four-wheel drive, to limit (as always) CO2 emissions.
The new Grand Vitara also adopts a system "RBS" that "monitors" the road with millimetric radar sensors, and automatically brakes if you are too close to the vehicle in front, coupled with a adapttif speed controller that manages distances of security.
Inside, a large touch screen makes its appearance (but we do not know yet if it will be standard or optional depending on version).
Rich in amenities, well motorized priori, customizable, the new Suzuki Vitara good arguments. Only, its bland design (it is a pity when you think of the 1st generation, highly original in its time) and perhaps the lack of image Suzuki (at least in France) may limit its business career. Marketing next spring.