After the S-Cross, Maruti Suzuki takes one other critical stab on the midsize SUV market; we get an early first preview.
Enjoying second fiddle isn’t one thing Maruti Suzuki likes to do, and, to handle the S-Cross’ lacklustre efficiency within the midsize SUV phase, it’s readying the Grand Vitara. Moreover being the corporate’s newest stab on the thriving phase, the Grand Vitara additionally brings in strong-hybrid expertise in addition to all-wheel-drive – each distinctive on this phase.
So, whereas on a media tour of its R&D amenities, when Maruti Suzuki requested if we’d like a brief drive, we naturally stated sure. And whereas it definitely was a really quick drive – with only a single loop of the banked observe, freeway loop and metropolis simulation – we did collect some fascinating first impressions.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: engine and efficiency – Robust Hybrid
Of the three powertrains we sampled, the strong-hybrid was the one I used to be most interested by on condition that it’s a Toyota system built-in into the Suzuki International-C platform that underpins the Grand Vitara. The three cylinder 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle engine develops 92hp and 122Nm of torque and is paired to an electrical motor that makes 79hp and 141Nm of torque. Mixed energy output stands at 115hp. Modest numbers particularly when held towards the Creta 1.4 Turbo’s 140hp or the Skoda Kushaq’s 1.5 litre TSI that makes 150hp. And as you’d count on it isn’t fast.
Off the road, it strikes rapidly, however tempo drops off as you construct velocity. Being the R&D facility, our telephones have been taken away and the one timing gear with me was my wristwatch. Going by that the Grand Vitara’s 0-100kph acceleration time was round 14 seconds, and I don’t count on it to dip rather more when strapped to our V-Field knowledge acquisition system.
In-gear acceleration can be gradual regardless of the kickdown; it’s clear Maruti is chasing gas effectivity and the corporate claims a 27.97kpl determine as per inner testing. And that’s actually the place this SUV will shine: bear in mind Maruti Suzuki has no diesels and, on this phase, diesels are nonetheless standard. Thus, a fuel-sipping petrol ought to be a lot appreciated.
The strong-hybrid additionally has a devoted EV mode which you’ll be able to entry through a button on the middle console. If the battery has adequate cost and your driving type relaxed, it would motor alongside fortunately with the engine shut. Maruti hasn’t disclosed an electric-only vary, however says that underneath typical Indian driving cycle the engine would solely be operating for 50-60 p.c of the time, which is spectacular.
I attempted EV mode, and, ranging from a standstill, the acceleration is sweet and clean and I used to be capable of preserve it going with a tempo comfortable sufficient for a metropolis drive. Nonetheless, put your foot down a bit extra – prefer to overtake as an example – and the engine does swap on.
There isn’t a one-pedal driving mode as you discover on some EVs, however you’ve a ‘B’ mode on the gearlever – that is along with the Regular, Eco and Sport engine drive modes – which maximises engine braking to cost the battery faster. Whereas driving within the common D mode, the coast down appears like a standard ICE automobile, whereas in B mode, it appears like a barely robust regen mode in an EV with the automobile slowing fairly quickly, though to not a full cease.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: engine and efficiency – Gentle Hybrid
We additionally drove the mild-hybrid which makes use of Maruti’s 4 cylinder 1.5-litre K15C engine and, just like the Brezza, it makes an equivalent 103hp and 137Nm of torque. Right here too, as you’d count on, it isn’t fast with an eye fixed clearly targeted on effectivity – Maruti claims 20.58kpl for the auto and 19.38 for the AWD.
So long as you drive in a sedate and relaxed method you received’t be disenchanted and the Suzuki energy unit does really feel smoother of the 2 with a decrease sound stage too. Within the Toyota system, throughout transient phases like acceleration and deceleration you possibly can hear fairly a gruff be aware.
Curiously, in-gear acceleration within the 20 to 80kph part felt faster, although we’ll wait till we will strap it as much as our take a look at gear to lastly say so. What was clear, nevertheless, was the brand new 6-speed torque convertor gearbox, which, like on the Brezza, is clean. What I significantly preferred was that with the paddle shifters you possibly can take management of gearshifts and to a big extent the automobile helps you to do as you please – not second guessing you want another autoboxes do – it would solely double beep and never permit a gearshift or mechanically shift, incase automobile and engine speeds are actually far out of sync.
We additionally did get to drive the AWD model, which comes with solely the 5-speed handbook, not on any off-road or tough terrain. So, what I can say for now could be that the handbook gearbox shifts really feel a bit rubber like, however they’re clean and require little effort.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: journey and dealing with
There actually isn’t a lot to say at this level given the extraordinarily temporary drive and the particular tracks we drove on, however over the cobble stone part journey high quality was good and pliant. Over velocity breakers the physique does heave, but it surely didn’t really feel uncomfortable.
What actually stood out for me was the steering, the hassle was low and at excessive speeds it felt safe, plus, a lot to my delight, at parking speeds it mechanically self-centers. That is not like most Maruti’s that merely keep caught and require you to twirl the wheel again. Thus, with the Grand Vitara, round a nook, you possibly can drive naturally and easily calm down your grip on the wheel to have it transfer again to middle.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: preliminary drive impressions
Maruti is clearly not taking possibilities with the Grand Vitara. Whereas it misses out on a diesel, it affords mild-hybrid tech that Maruti is thought for in addition to phase distinctive AWD and strong-hybrid expertise, which ought to actually be a giant draw for a lot of, particularly the latter. So, whereas it is not going to fulfill these searching for a peppy SUV, for these with an eye fixed on effectivity it ought to do very effectively certainly. We’ll in fact know for positive as soon as we drive it out in the actual world which ought to be in a few month or two. So keep tuned and incase you’d prefer to know extra concerning the styling and interiors, do try our story right here.
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2022 Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara walkaround video