Suzuki is launching a new Grand Vitara line-up, set to hit dealerships in September. The compact SUV will compete against the likes of the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 in its bid to gain a larger share of the Australian market, which was just 4% for the year to date.

A new front bumper extends an extra 30mm to accommodate the new V6 engine as well as increasing pedestrian protection. A number of other minor styling updates have also been undertaken to give the Grand Vitara a sportier look. A new petrol engine line-up headlines the mechanical changes, with an all-new 2.4-litre variable valve timing (VVT) four-cylinder engine and an all-new 3.2-litre VVT V6.

New engines offer variety, efficiency and improved power
The 2.4-litre will be available in both three and five-door models, replacing the superseded 1.6-litre (three-door) and 2.0-litre (five-door) engines. Rated at 122kW, it provides a 67% power increase on the previous 1.6-litre in the 3-door, while fuel efficiency improves to 8.8L/100km for the five-speed manual.

The new engine is also significantly quieter than the superseded ones and utilises VVT, which allows the lift of the intake valves to be altered while the engine is in operation. Continuous variation of the intake valve timing ensures smoother and more responsive performance, and the VVT system is complemented by Suzuki's intake manifold tuning system, which alters the effective length of the intake pipe by opening and closing a valve to improve volumetric efficiency. Changing the port length in accordance with engine speed maximises engine torque across the rev range.

Prestige model gets feature and power upgrades
In addition to a new engine, a new 5-door 2.4-litre Prestige version joins the line-up, complete with leather trim and sunroof and sporting a new engine upgrade that reduces its 0-100km/h run from 12.5 seconds to 11.7 seconds.

The all-new 3.2-litre quad-cam 165 kW Prestige V6 offers 22% more power than the outgoing 2.7-litre V6. The new V6 also offers a fuel economy figure of 10.5L/100 km, a 9% increase over the outgoing 2.7-litre V6. Standard features include High Intensity Discharge (HID) projector headlamps with dusk sensor and washers, hill descent control and hill hold control. A lockable centre differential is also available, giving the Grand Vitara Prestige V6 greater control in off-road situations.

The 1.9-litre turbo-diesel DDiS engine available on the Grand Vitara has also been reworked by engineers for an 8 per cent improvement in fuel economy, now boasting a fuel economy figure of just 7.0L/100 km.

Suzuki Grand Vitara gallery

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