Plush
and powerful this new SUV leaves Maruti's cheap and cheerful image
in its dust and aims at the super SUVs, but does it live up to its
pretensions?
| SUZUKI
GRAND VITARA XL-7 |
| List
price(ex-showroom Delhi) |
Rs
15.96 lakh-Rs 16.77 lakh |
| Top
speed |
176
kph |
| 0-100kph |
10.48
sec |
| kpl |
6.5
(city) , 8.7 (highway) |
| For Brilliant engine, dealer network |
| Against Ride and handling, cramped seating |
It is fair to say that the city of Hamamatsu, where Suzukis are made,
is the small car capital of Japan. But while the Suzuki motor car
company specialises in small cars, it is important to remember that
off-road vehicles form an important part of its heritage as well.
Suzuki's first 4x4was the 359cc two-stroke Jimny made in 1970. We've
had a taste of Suzuki's 4x4 fare in the form of the long-running Gypsy,
which has been around since 1985.
The Gypsy's phenomenal success in rallying is proof that Suzuki knows
the business when it comes to 4x4s. That's one part of the message
Maruti is trying to communicate with the launch of the Grand Vitara
XL-7, but what India's largest car company really wants to say is
that it does not just make vehicles that are small and basic.
The Grand Vitara XL-7 is the biggest, most powerful, most luxurious
and most expensive vehicle in Suzuki's line-up: the superlatives that
the Grand Vitara invokes are meant to give Maruti's 'cheap and cheerful'
image a fillip. No doubt, this luxury SUV is a showcase of Suzuki's
capabilities but is it worth your money and attention? |
May 2003