Extenuating circumstances. Updated Suzuki Vitara
Vitara is the best-selling Suzuki model in Europe and Russia: from January to August of this year, 55,826 and 2,423 units were sold, respectively. Consumers are attracted by the laconic design in the spirit of the discontinued Grand Vitara SUV and the healthy conservatism of the Japanese crossover’s technical stuffing.
The update started in the fourth year of life did not bring radical changes to Vitara, but the fiat 1.6-liter turbodiesel and outdated gasoline aspirated with the same working volume disappeared from the gamut of engines of the European version due to tougher environmental requirements. But if in Europe amtospheric motors leave even the segment of mass inexpensive models, then in Russia they are still in great demand. More than 90% of Vitar are sold in our country with just 1.6 petrol engine (117 hp), and Suzuki reasonably decided for us to leave this unit, and instead Europeans will be offered a 111 Boosterjet petrol turbojet hp
It is gratifying that Suzuki remains faithful to the classic hydromechanical automatic gearbox and does not plan to switch to variable speed drives or “robots” with two clutches, and it is these types of transmissions that now dominate the European segment of subcompact crossovers. In Russia, the 6-speed automatic will still be available in a pair with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine, as well as with a 140-hp 1.4-liter Boosterjet turbo engine. vertical “teeth”, front bumper with decorative rims around the niches protivotumanok and LED taillights. In addition, two new colors have appeared in the exterior palette – Solar Yellow (sunny yellow) and Grayish Ice Blue (gray-blue ice).
Inside – an updated instrument panel with more elegant analog dials and a color display of the onboard computer instead of the old multi-chrome. At the watch between the central deflectors of the ventilation system there is a new substrate, and below them there is a textured overlay for metal, very pleasant in appearance. On the seats – a new diamond stitching. And the main innovation is the appearance of the long-awaited soft plastic! It made the upper part of the front panel. To the touch this plastic is not as malleable and pleasant as, for example, in French models, but still no one can say that Vitara is “oak” inside.
The Bosch multimedia system has not changed and is pleased with a logical and nimble interface, but the touch volume slider would still need to be replaced with a classic rotary knob. Fortunately, there are no other sensory devices in Vitara’s cabin, and you can use the large physical keys of the microclimate control unit blindly. In general, the interior has become more pleasant to look at and touch, but it has retained the spirit of Japanese minimalism, which instills confidence that the car will last for ten years without problems and at the same time preserve its presentation.
In Russia, the updated Vitara will be available in November. Prices have not yet been announced, but they are unlikely to change significantly – that is, the Japanese crossover of the Hungarian assembly will, as before, cost significantly more expensive than competitors such as Hyunda Creta and Renault Kaptur localized in Russia.
In Europe, the updated Vitara is unlikely to hijack the segment leader – Renault Captur (158,454 copies were sold in the first 8 months of this year), but, of course, it will have its share of conservative-minded buyers, who, moreover, need full drive ( the European Captain does not have it). In addition, Suzuki took great care of Vitara’s safety and provided it with both a sturdy bodywork and a set of advanced active safety systems.
