In the fall of 1997, Suzuki introduced Vitara's successor, the Grand Vitara model. The sonic prefix Grand, which in Latin means large, majestic, grand, great, obliged Suzuki specialists to create a car corresponding to the name. Inheritance from the ancestor of Grand Vitara got the frame structure of the chassis and all-wheel drive with a connected front axle. The frame is made of steel beams, the cross-pieces of which are arranged so that without an extra weight increase in the structure, the maximum torsional rigidity is reached. Front - independent suspension with springs located separately from the racks McPherson.
The continuous rear axle has a spring suspension on trailing arms with a transverse rod. Front brakes have ventilated discs. The design of the Grand Vitara is dominated by smooth, rounded shapes, distinguished by major lighting technology and a silver plastic “body kit” in a circle. The interior is harmoniously combined with the appearance. The interior is dominated by soft, soothing colors, everything is made with high quality and soundly.
The spare wheel is located on the tailgate opening sideways, without taking up space inside. The steering column is height adjustable. The rear seats can be folded separately, and the seat backs can be folded to create berths.
The range of power units offers a choice of 4-cylinder gasoline engines with electronic injection system of 1.6 and 2.0 liters and 94 and 128 hp. respectively. PlusV-shaped 6-cylinder engine of 2.5 liters and 144 hp with distributed fuel injection, two camshafts in each cylinder head and four valves per cylinder. Together with him works either a manual five-speed gearbox or a four-stage automatic. The front axle can be connected at a speed of up to 100 km / h, and it is necessary to stop in order to start the reduction row in the transfer case.
An acceptable balance was found in the steering tuning between the help of the power steering system required on off-road conditions and the feedback that helps to feel confident when making quick turns. Standard equipment includes power steering, power windows, exterior mirrors, central locking, an acoustic panel with speakers, as well as a wide variety of compartments for small items. Plus two frontal airbags and belts with pyrotechnic retractors. Additional equipment includes air conditioning, immobilizer and anti-lock brakes. In 2000, the Grand Vitara appeared with an open body. The basis for it was the 3-door all-metal version without the rear of the roof.
This maintained a rigid body structure and ensured passenger protection in the event of a roll over. Grand Vitara had to compete with such serious rivals as Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. When sales began to fall, the company realized that they could finally lose the fight to the consumer, and set about developing the second generation of the model.
He had to be designed almost from scratch, because, for example, the frame structure of the body had already become an anachronism in this segment, and a faceless or even just good design would mean complete failure. In 2005, the second generation of the Grand Vitara debuted. Before its creation, Suzuki experts listened to enthusiasts from around the world who reported on their requirements for a compact 4x4: design, capacity, equipment, technology, safety, and environmental impact. With all this in mind, and without departing from the traditions of the old Grand Vitara, the concern has created a new generation. The car turned out very elegant, dynamic, solid and original.
In the exterior, you can not find a single detail that would hint at the predecessor. The second generation with an integrated frame instead of a fashionable monocoque body, with permanent all-wheel drive, demultiplicator and inter-wheel differential lock. This is a completely new car, completely different from the old model Grand Vitara. The new Grand Vitara is available in two body styles: a three- and five-door SUV. The five-door version is distinguished by a massive rear stand, which continues to be large rear lights - a spectacular and memorable solution. The fuel cap is round and opens only from the cabin.
The previous model was distinguished by rounded shapes, but the novelty has found clear edges. Only the bottom of the bumper slightly protrudes, thus highlighting the spectacular fog lights. Above them are located the large headlights, under the transparent cap of which the reflectors of the dipped and main beam are hidden. At the bottom passes a strip of direction indicators (as an option, you can install xenon headlights). Between the headlights housed impressive size mesh grille. The back of the hood near the windshield pillars is decorated with small plastic air vents - an extremely decorative technique.
Extended wheel arches add to the appearance of the new Grand Vitara aggressiveness. The previous version had plastic overlays on the arches and a wide plastic protection around the perimeter. Now the wheel arches are a continuation of the wings. But the protection at the bottom of the door left. However, it is almost invisible, since the plastic is painted in the body color. The fifth door - swing type, equipped with a janitor and a third brake light. Also, it housed a spare tire with a plastic casing. The look of the Grand Vitara is completed by 16-inch light-alloy wheels with a spectacular five-spoke design (17-inch wheels are available as an option).
Changed and dimensions. So, the 5-door version, added 255 mm in length, 30 mm in width. The height decreased by 45 mm, which was achieved, in particular, by implanting the frame directly into the body. And the clearance of the car remained unchanged - 200 mm.
The wheelbase has grown to 160 mm and now reaches 2,640 mm, and the front and rear wheels have increased by 40 and 70 mm, respectively. Due to this, it became much more spacious in the cabin. Inside, everything is new. The interior noticeably freshened up, the ergonomics improved significantly.
The first thing that catches your eye is the decent quality of finishing materials. And also unobtrusive, but obvious desire of designers to emphasize the sportiness of the model. The seats are made in a geometric design and using ribbed materials that are pleasant to the eyes and touches. Plastic aluminum inserts give some lightness to the front panel and the entire cabin as a whole. The hospitable driver's seat has only three adjustments: longitudinal movement, backrest tilt and height adjustment. The steering column is also regulated, however, only by the angle of inclination.
The steering wheel is three-spoke with the audio control buttons placed on it: mode switching, volume, station / track switching and sound off. On the horizontal armrest of the driver's door there is a control unit for electric power windows of all the doors and electric drives for external rear-view mirrors. To the left of the steering wheel, under the round ventilator deflector, is a unit that includes a rotating selector headlight hydrocorrector, a switch for anti-fog light and a dashboard backlight control button. Under the visor of the instrument panel, right before your eyes, are three separate round windows.
The central, largest window is occupied by a speedometer marked up to 200 km / h, inside it are several pictograms and an odometer LCD display marked on the left up to 8000 rpm tachometer, and on the right an indicator of the gear engaged, fuel gauges in the tank and temperature fluid. The illumination is carried out using an optitron technology: it turns on with the ignition turned on and goes out only after it is turned off, or by forcibly pressing the button to the left of the steering wheel.
In general, the theme of the circle prevails in the decoration of the salon Grand Vitara - ventilation vents, the bezel around the lever of the automatic gearbox, air conditioning control keys - all are round. The center console is quite massive, but everything is organized quite logical on it. In the upper part there is a small electronic scoreboard on which the data of the onboard computer and the thermometer are displayed.
Below is the audio system with a CD player. Under it - the climate unit and the joystick control all-wheel drive transmission. That is, Grand Vitara, unlike its predecessor, lost the range lever - its functions are assigned to this switch, which has several positions: “N” allows you to use a winch, “4H” - four-wheel drive and overdrive, “4H LOCK” - four-wheel drive and a higher gear, cross-axle differential is blocked, "4L LOCK" - four-wheel drive and downshift with a locked cross-axle differential. Not a bad ergonomics of the cabin as a whole. The long wheelbase ensures sufficient legroom both in front and behind.
Large width of the car and comfortable seats allow you to go back three adults in complete comfort. The back of the sofa is adjustable in angle. Places are easily and quickly cleaned if necessary. A large enough luggage compartment can be increased by folding the back of the rear seat.
However, you can fold only part of the backrest in the proportion of 40:60. The luggage compartment of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is equipped with hooks, neat pockets and an extra niche. Low edges allow you to put and pull luggage without any problems. Everything is very thoughtful and functional. This generation has sewn frame. In addition, all car suspension became independent.
That, of course, affected the handling. The car listens better to the steering wheel, it is more stable in the corners. Stability contributes to the new system and all-wheel drive.
Most models come with standard 4-way full 4x4 with center differentiation, a system that offers a wide range of traction options for good off-road driving. The four engines available offer a variety of work combinations, from fuel-saving to uncompromising power and spin. In the domestic market, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is offered with two versions of gasoline engines. Two-liter four-cylinder capacity of 145 hp and V6 of 2.7 liters capacity of 184 hp In the first case, you can choose a five-step "mechanics" or a four-step "automatic". Top version V6 is aggregated with a new automatic five-speed transmission.
For European buyers Grand Vitara, the choice is somewhat different - the base engine is a 1.6 liter (100 hp) plus 1.9 TD turbo diesel. By the five-door body also relies two-liter version. With any configuration can be "automatic". Special attention experts Suzuki paid security. ESP adds stability provided by a low center of gravity of the vehicle to its four main functions: anti-lock braking system (ABS); electronic brake force distribution (EBD); traction control (TCS); and stability control. The Grand Vitara Corps provides the first defensive line plus a survival site. The pedals are designed to minimize damage to the limbs, and the airbag system to prevent personal injury.
All models come with mounts for child seats that are made to ISO FIX standards. In 2008, the Suzuki Grand Vitara was restyled. The reason for updating the famous model from the manufacturer was found to be more than solid: the car celebrated its 10th anniversary. External changes are not revolutionary. In fact, the exterior of the updated car is not much different from the previous body design, dorestaylingovogo generation. Overall dimensions of the updated model are 4060x1810x1695 mm, wheelbase - 2640 mm. The car received a modified front bumper, new front fenders with dedicated wheel arches, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signal repeaters and a grille with larger cells.
Sports notes in the exterior design of the Suzuki Grand Vitara "execute" 18-inch wheels, which are installed on the five-door versions of the car. Variants of the model in equipment with 17-inch wheels, on the contrary, have a pronounced off-road appearance. In addition, the restyling has expanded the color palette of body colors. With all this, the model has retained its individual, recognizable appearance. The interior of the cabin is much fresher, improved ergonomics. For example, now an information screen integrated into the dashboard is visible before the driver’s eyes, where information on the operation of car systems is displayed in a convenient format for reading.
On the convenient steering wheel located on the adjustable column, as before, you can see the buttons for controlling the audio system and the climate control system, only now these buttons are supplemented with illumination. Changed the location of some elements. On the center console, most of the function keys are located: a climate control control button, a heater adjustment knob, a head unit combining the functions of a radio receiver and a six-disc CD changer. At the automatic transmission selector, in addition to the power button, housed the heated front seats and a 12-volt electrical outlet.
More powerful engines forced Japanese engineers to improve the level of noise insulation of the cabin. In addition, together with high-quality plastic, the interior of the Grand Vitara, depending on the version, has chrome elements (for example, five-door versions have chrome handles), as well as stylized ebony trim parts. The changes affected the technical part. In the range of engines added two new engines. One of 2.4 liters, equipped with an automatic variable valve timing, the other - 3.2-liter V6. The new 2.4-liter power unit replaced the old 2.0-liter engine producing 140 hp.
The new engine installed on the three-door model, has a capacity of 166 hp, the same engine installed on the five-door version with a five-speed manual transmission, develops up to 169 hp Equipped with a 2.4-liter engine and five-step “mechanics”, the three-door Grand Vitara accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 11.2 seconds. and develops up to 180 km / h of maximum speed. Six-cylinder V-shaped engine volume of 3.2 liters.
has a power of 232 hp at 291 Nm of torque, consumes up to 10.6 l. in the combined cycle. The five-door version of the Grand Vitara, equipped with a 3.2-liter engine and a five-speed automatic transmission, accelerates to 100 km / h in 9.3 seconds. and develops a maximum speed of 200 km / h. The latest powertrain version is considered “flagship” - only in the basic configuration it received options such as the Hill Descent Control (a system that supports speeds of 5 or 10 km / h during descent) and Hill Hold Control (slows down the transport crossover feet with brakes on gas).
The brake system was also included in the list of improvements to the “facelift” model, and now disc brakes are installed instead of rear drum brakes. The bearing frame that the previous generation Grand Vitara had, now does not exist, and the center of gravity of the crossover became lower, which had a positive effect on the characteristics of cornering. According to the results of the series of crash tests of the EuroNCAP series, the updated model Suzuki Grand Vitara received 30 points for ensuring the safety of its passengers.
High safety performance became achievable due to the fact that the body of the model consists of a rigid frame of the frame, energy-absorbing zones and deforms upon impact without causing much damage to the passengers of the car. In addition, Grand Vitara has the necessary systems to ensure the active safety of the system, which, in addition to ESP and ABS, also include the system of keeping the vehicle on descent and ascent (HHC). Passive safety of passengers in the cabin is guaranteed by six airbags, of which two are frontal, two side and curtain airbags, as well as three-point seat belts with pretensioners. In 2010, Suzuki announced the modernization of export versions of the car.
Grand Vitara 2011 model year lost the spare wheel on the tailgate, due to which the overall length of the car decreased by 200 mm. Instead of a spare wheel, the manufacturer offers a sealant and compressor for quick repair of wheels. The diesel 1.9-liter engine was upgraded to meet the Euro 5 environmental level. The basic equipment of all versions of the crossover included a self-locking center differential and a low-gear transmission in the transfer case. All models are equipped with anti-lock brakes and brake force distribution. In 2012, the Suzuki Grand Vitara experienced another upgrade.
The presentation of the European version of the car was held at the Moscow Motor Show on August 29, 2012. In Russia, the car is offered in two body versions: three-door and five-door options. The three-door Grand Vitara has 4060 mm in length, 1810 mm in width, 1695 mm in height, 2440 mm wheelbase and 200 mm ground clearance.
By the way, the three-door boasts a good index of geometric body permeability, the angle of entry is 29 degrees, the exit angle is 36 degrees, the longitudinal cross is 20 degrees. Oriented to the comfort and optimal use of usable space, the 5-door version of the Grand Vitara has the following external parameters: length is 4500 mm, width - 1810 mm, height - 1695 mm, wheelbase - 2640 mm, clearance - 200 mm. The mass of a car varies from 1533 kg to 1584 kg. Grand Vitara 2013 model year has changed quite a bit externally.
The grille instead of the grid received two cross-beams that widened to the middle, and a vamping resembling a “kenguryatnik” appeared on the front bumper. The optics of the headlights have changed, the foglights are located in the wells, an apron has appeared along the edge of the bumper. The back is crowned with a large tailgate opening to the side and vertical lights. Depending on the configuration, the rims can be 16-inch steel, or, for example, cast.
In addition, especially for the residents of megalopolises, Suzuki designers created sports 18-inch 7-beam alloy wheels in the urban style. Lovers of country life will certainly like the 17-inch 5-wheel wheels off-road design. For the restyled Grand Vitara, the following body colors are available: Pearl Pnoenix Red (red), Silky Silver Metallic (silver), Pearl White Metallic (white), Pearl Nocturne Blue (blue), Bluish Black (black), Metallic Quasar Gray (dark gray) , Metallic Pearl Gaia Bronze (Bronze), Bison Brown Pearl Metallic 2 (Brown). The interior of the car continues the rigor and straightness of the body lines.
Changes to the interior are cosmetic, the materials used in the finishing have become better. The interior is not only comfortable, but also functional. The steering wheel is adjustable only in height and has a minimal set of buttons (music control). The backlight switches on the steering wheel improves the visual control of the audio system. An information display integrated into the dashboard informs the driver in Russian about the current modes of operation of the vehicle. For cars with 2.4 liter engines, the panel additionally displays, among other things, the mode of operation of the transmission, current fuel consumption, average driving speed and power reserve.
In the cabin of Grand Vitara there is a huge amount of various drawers and pockets where you can put different useful things. The driver and passenger seats are heated and sufficient for convenient location of a set and range of adjustments. In the second row of the five-door version of the place with a reserve for three passengers, and here at the three-door rear two passengers will be accommodated with difficulty. In the 5-door model, the back seat is equipped with an armrest, dividing it into two seats, which maximally provides the convenience of a rear landing.
The trunk of the five-door Grand Vitara is designed to carry 398 liters with a busy rear row, folding the second-row seats will be able to load up to 1386 liters. Short-body crossover with four passengers has a tiny trunk to 184 liters, with a driver and front passenger, its cargo capacity increases to 964 liters. In Russia, the Grand Vitara 2013 model year is offered in three trim levels. In the basic version, power steering, power windows on all doors, central locking, air conditioning, on-board computer, heated front seats, electric heated mirrors, front and rear fog lights, six airbags, CD MP3 music, cloth upholstery, 225/70 R16 tires are available on steel discs.
Top of the range has a combined leather upholstery, a color touchscreen (6.1 inches), a Garmin navigator, a voice-activated audio system (CD MP3 USB AUX iPhone and iPod, Bluetooth), cruise control, 225 / 60R18 alloy wheels, headlights with xenon filling and washer, engine start button. In the process of updating the technical characteristics of the Japanese crossover did not undergo special interference from the company's engineers. Fully independent front suspension with McPherson struts and a rear axle multi-link (five levers). Independent suspension and permanent four-wheel drive provide smooth ride and stability on the road.
The presence of inter-axle differential lock and reduced gear in the transfer case allows the car to overcome obstacles. All 5-door models are equipped with a 3-mode all-wheel drive transmission with a locked interaxle differential of increased friction, which ensures the use of a wide range of traction distribution options for driving on different types of roads and off-road. The switch to one of the 3-x all-wheel drive modes is located on the center console, which makes the selection of the desired mode as convenient as possible.
To switch to the N (neutral) or 4L Lock modes (low gear with a locked center differential), the shift knob must be turned on, which prevents accidental unwanted activation of these modes. Under the hood familiar gasoline engines from dorestaylingovyh models. The three-door version of the SUV is aggregated by a 107-hp 1.6-liter engine. It accelerates the car to 100 km / h in 14.4 seconds. Fuel consumption averages 8.2-8.5 liters. The maximum speed of 160 km / h. The five-door version is offered with engines of 2.0 (140 hp) and 2.4 liters (169 hp).
Transmission - 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. But the 3.2 l version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is no longer sold, apparently because of its low demand. Alas, there are no diesel versions on the Russian market either. The developers of Grand Vitara 2013 paid special attention to safety: the body structure combines a rigid frame frame and deformation zones that absorb the impact energy. The rigidity of the body reinforced installed in the doors of the car impact-resistant beams.
On vehicles with a 3.2 liter engine, a vehicle holding system on an ascent and descent (Hill hold control, HHC) not only improves the active safety of the vehicle, but also improves the vehicle’s off-road performance. Even the standard Vitara comes with ABS, EBD and six airbags: two front, two side and protective curtains.
