Story and photos by Randy S. Peregrino
THERE’s an addition to the wide range of subcompact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) in the country as Suzuki Philippines (SPH) finally brought in the completely evolved all-new Vitara. Known for producing reliable compact cars, the Japanese automaker channeled their expertise to the new-generation Vitara, and transformed it to a whole new package intended for the millennial market.
Gracing the event was Asia Automobile Department General Manager Shigeo Takezawa. “On behalf of the Suzuki Motor Corp., I would like to congratulate Suzuki Philippines for successfully bringing in the new Vitara. May the launch of the new Vitara inspire you to show the same level of commitment and dedication to share with more Filipinos the Suzuki Way of Life. We have high hopes that the addition of the new Vitara to the Suzuki Philippines’s lineup of vehicles will drive more sales, and increase customer satisfaction,” he said.
The fourth generation Vitara emerged in an entirely new platform. Just like the Ciaz, it tops the subcompact class in terms of size, despite shredding several notches from the overall dimension. “Equipped with the longest, and widest dimension in its class with the best radius performance, the features of the new Vitara are aimed at providing the best value in terms of design, performance and fuel efficiency. Setting it apart from competition, the subcompact SUV allows drivers to freely express their individuality and personalize their vehicles with its wide array of colors and accessory packages,” SPH Automobile Division General Manager Shuzo Hoshikura said.
Still very much evident is the signature clamshell bonnet and fender garnish from the previous Grand Vitara model. But the new bolder front-end design now highlights the “dignified and strong” aura with sleeker grille and headlamps, plus the trapezoidal lines toward the ground. The flanks, meantime, emphasizes an emotional aura through its flowing roofline, “kicked-up” character line denoting flared fenders, and pressed running line insinuating ruggedness. As for the rear end, another trapezoidal line toward the ground, fresh tail lights and profile imply a sturdier impression. Exclusive to the top spec GLX are the vertical daytime running lamps with and energy-saving LED headlamps with blue projector cover, while both GL and GL+ models are fitted with projector halogen lamps. Overall, the two-tone body shade, along with the matte plastic garnish on the bottom side panels, convey an unmistakable European-inspired persona. The athletic stance, on the other hand, is courtesy of polished alloy wheels (17 inches for the GLX, 16 inches for GL+ and 16-inch steel rims with cap for the GL model).
Likewise, endowed with remarkable enhancements is the fresh interior layout. It features the brand’s known SUV brawny outlines with sporty-design dashboard embellished with silver finishes. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel offers both 36-milimeter (mm) reach and 40-mm rake adjustments. Seats height adjustments, meanwhile, have both fore-aft and vertical degrees of 51 mm and 59 mm, respectively. Another exclusive amenity for the top-of-the-line GLX is the panoramic sunroof. It is fitted with two separate and functional glass panels that offer the biggest aperture it the class. The storage bay boasts 375 liters of space at your disposal. Perhaps, one of the all-new Vitara’s best perks is the tablet-like 10-inch capacitive touch-screen infotainment operating on Android platform. Moreover, it has connectivity functions for telephony, Bluetooth, USB, and is equipped with GPS Navi System.
Another conversion Suzuki made was to adapt a transverse powertrain layout, which contributed to the overall weight reduction. The automaker foregoes its old motors with bigger displacements in favor of a more fuel-efficient 1.6 liter, four-cylinder, DOHC with silent chain petrol engine. Generating 115 hp at 6,000 rpm and 156 N-m of maximum torque at 4,000 rpm, the output is sufficient enough to propel the smaller and lighter frame. Transferring power to the front wheels is the coupled six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
As for safety, the all-new Vitara is fortified with a lightweight impact-absorbing frame called total effective control technology with brake-pedal release system. Advance features are also available, such as electronic stability control, hill-hold control, antilock-braking system with electronic brake distribution, six-point airbag system (exclusive to the GLX model) and parking sensors, among others. Even pedestrians are protected with the front-end’s impact absorbing structures with mitigating effects.
“Equipped with top-of-the-line features, the new Vitara will enable the Filipino-driving public to freely express their individuality through its unique design and a wide selection of colors to choose from. Apart from this, the Vitara is designed with enhanced safety features and superior fuel efficiency. Backed by all these features, we are hopeful that the new Vitara will appeal to the Philippine market, especially among millennials,” Suzuki Motor Corp. Global Automobile Planning Department General Manager Nobutaka Suzuki said.
The all-new Vitara is priced at P1.048 million (GLX) and P938,000 (GL+), while the GL model’s value is yet to be announced. GLX variants come in exclusive two-tone colors, namely: Atlantis Turquoise Pearl, Horizon Orange Metallic and Bright Red Metallic. The GL+ and GL variants, on the other hand, are available in Cool White Pearl, Silky Silver Metallic, Galactic Gray Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic and Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino