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By
EWAN KENNEDY
28 January 2008
Diesel engines have been big players in the large 4WD scene for
many yeas, but have only recently begun to make their way into
smaller models in Australia. Suzuki, a major mover in the small
and medium 4WD market in this country for many years, has just
introduced a turbo-diesel to its popular Grand Vitara range.
The engine is a four-cylinder unit displacing 1.9 litres and
producing up to 95 kW. Torque is 300 Nm at 2000 rpm. On the road
this engine provides good acceleration and has grunt that enables
it to pull up strong hills without any fuss. There's the expected
turbo lag, but the system uses variable geometry in the turbo so
this seldom intrudes on the driver’s intentions.
Surprisingly, the engine isn’t as smooth or quiet as we had
anticipated. In a car the engine might be considered marginal in
this respect, but it actually gives a nice bit of character to a
4WD vehicle. Perhaps the Suzuki engineers even deliberately backed
off on overmuch sophistication to suit their vehicle? Whatever; we
liked it.
Note the use of the term ‘4WD’ in the opening paragraph of
the feature. Because this Suzuki really is a 4WD, not an SUV. The
latter being a term used, sometimes with a sneer, by those who
believe that off-road vehicles should be off-road vehicles, not
pretenders that look the part but which are really only boxy
people movers with some all-road ability by way of a basic
all-wheel drive system.
Suzuki was forced to abandon its previous stance on building
body-on-chassis 4WDs when it designed the current Grand Vitara,
released in Australia in 1998. In its latest format, it uses a
car-type monocoque body to give it the ability to crumple
progressively during a crash to help protect its occupants.
Having done that, Suzuki has built plenty of rigidity into the
body to give it true off-road strength. Not the truck-like
rigidity of large, pure-bred 4WDs designed for commercial use, but
more than enough strength for the typical weekend warrior.
We took the new turbo-diesel Grand Vitaras onto some pretty
serious off-road tracks near Brisbane. And were reminded just how
good these Suzukis are. A large part of the course required the
use of low range and first gear, often with the engine at or just
above idle. The Grand Vitara simply scrambled its way up steep
slopes that would have left many so-called 4WDs wheels spinning
uselessly. Or even slipping dangerously backwards down the hill.
Part of the upgrade to the latest Grand Vitara includes the
installation of a high-tech ESP system that, as well as providing
greater on-road safety, also gives assistance in the
aforementioned off-road conditions. ABS brakes are included in the
electronics, so this apparently tough little machine has a more
complex heart than you might imagine at first sight.
On-road, the Grand Vitara has excellent ride comfort of the
type you simply don’t expect from a vehicle with its degree of
rough-bush ability. The suspension is almost car-like in the way
it cossets its occupants, so those who are looking for a family
car substitute don’t have to forego overmuch comfort.
Suzuki Grand Vitara diesel is priced at $34,990 and comes with
17-inch alloy wheels, climate-controlled air conditioning, a CD
player that can accept MP3 discs, a leather-trimmed steering wheel
houses cruise control buttons, and remote central locking. An
interesting feature according to Queensland’s Suzuki chief,
Keith Carroll, is that the Grand Vitara has no ashtray!
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Marque Publishing Company
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