Three door model range now available with three engines and two grades

• Three door Grand Vitara SZ range now adds 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9 DDiS diesel engines to recently launched 2.4-litre petrol
• New grading structure for three door with two levels of specification; SZ3 and SZ4 (1.6 petrol) and SZ4 (1.9DDiS diesel)
• Combined fuel consumption of 34.5mpg for 1.6-litre three-door and 40.4mpg for 1.9 DDiS
• Revised exterior and interior styling
• Improvements to refinement; driveability and emissions
• Equipment for SZ3 includes ESP (Electronic Stability Programme); six airbags; 16-inch alloy wheels and automatic air conditioning
• Equipment for SZ4 three-door model adds 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and in-dash 6CD player with MP3 compatibility
• On sale now; priced from £13,600 for 1.6-litre SZ3 three-door manual and £16,200 for SZ4 1.9 DDiS
• Marking 21 years of Suzuki Vitara /Grand Vitara and more than 2.6 million worldwide sales
• UK Vitara / Grand Vitara cumulative sales of more than 164,000 since introduction in 1988
• Zero per cent finance offers available until September 30th 2009

Following the successful launch of the revised Grand Vitara SZ model range with 2.4-litre engine in October 2008; Suzuki is pleased to announce the addition of the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9 DDiS to the three door model range. The new additions are available in different grades; SZ3 and SZ4 for the 1.6-litre petrol model and SZ4 for the 1.9 DDiS.

Suzuki has a unique offering in the SUV market, with no other manufacturer currently offering this choice of engines in a compact SUV three door body style. Suzuki launched its first Vitara 21 years ago, creating the world’s first compact SUV and tapping into a new market for vehicles that deliver true off-road performance with responsive, fun-to-drive on-road performance. Since then the stylish and versatile SUV has steadily evolved and kept pace with growing demand for good-looking, versatile 4x4s that are as rewarding on the open road as they are motoring off the beaten track.

The three door is an important model in the Suzuki range and represents 50 per cent of all Grand Vitara sales in the UK which will be around 3,000 cars for this year.

In developing the minor change Grand Vitara, Suzuki consolidated the design and engineering qualities that have helped the model enjoy such enduring success, while introducing an all-round upgrade in terms of equipment specifications, safety, styling and all-round quality and refinement.

Emissions have been improved for the latest models with the 1.6-litre now at 195g/km (down from 199g/km) and the 1.9-litre DDiS at 183g/km (down from 189g/km).

Both the exterior and interior have been given a mild facelift. On the outside there is a revised front end treatment and new door mirrors with integrated turn indicators. All SZ models feature improvements to the design and operation of the dashboard controls, including a new multi-information display and revised air conditioning control panel.

SZ3 models feature six airbags, automatic air conditioning with pollen filter and 16-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. Additional specification on the SZ4 three-door model includes an in-dash 6CD changer with MP3 compatibility, rear privacy glass and 17-inch wheels.

The Grand Vitara remains a full-blooded 4x4. Its monocoque construction incorporates a built-in ladder frame and additional strengthening elements to provide the rigidity needed for serious off-road driving. At the same time, the all-round independent suspension ensures stability and comfort when driving on tarmac.

The four-wheel drive system is permanently engaged and ensures optimum grip is obtained whatever the driving conditions. On DDiS and 2.4 models, when the going gets really tough, the driver can shift the transmission into low range four-wheel drive, simply by turning a rotary switch on the dashboard.

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR STYLING
The minor change Grand Vitara SZ range gains refinements to exterior styling, while retaining the contemporary lines established with the third generation model range. New designs for the front grille and bumper give a more sculpted and muscular appearance, changes that add 30mm to the front overhang.

Cabin ambience is more refined and sophisticated, with a cleaner, easier to monitor dashboard layout and new control buttons and switches that are weighted to convey a sense of quality and precision.

Detail improvements include a new multi-information display in the main instrument cluster, giving the driver clear information on vehicle status, including fuel consumption, mileage, driving range. The steering wheel-mounted switches are illuminated for greater ease of use and there is a new control panel for the climate control unit.

ENHANCED ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY

Safety measures have also been upgraded, most notably with the introduction of Electronic Stability Programme; rear disc brakes on the 1.9 DDiS and 2.4 models and extra shock-absorbing elements around the bonnet, wings and front bumper to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians – a quality that had already earned Grand Vitara a very respectable three-star rating in independent Euro NCAP crash testing.

Recognising the life saving potential of electronic stability systems, Suzuki is equipping the latest SZ Grand Vitara range with ESP® as standard.  ESP® uses selective wheel braking and controls engine output as necessary to stabilise the vehicle if it detects understeer or oversteer situations which could possibly result in total loss of control. ESP® also incorporates a traction control feature to prevent wheelspin during standard starts or a loss of grip during sharp acceleration.

* ESP® is a registered trade mark of Daimler AG

To accommodate the rear disc brakes for 1.9 DDiS and 2.4 models, the subframe and dampers have been strengthened and all versions benefit from ABS with EBD as standard.

The Grand Vitara has a comprehensive passive package, including front, side and curtain airbags for driver and front seat and rear seat passengers. ISOFIX child seat mountings with top-tether anchor are fitted as standard on the rear seats. The front seatbelts are height adjustable and incorporate pretensioners and force limiters. Rear seat passengers are also provided with three-point seatbelts and height-adjustable headrests.

The latest three door SZ range is available now across all 142 Suzuki dealers with Zero per cent finance offers extended until the end of September.

 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 1.6 and 1.9 DDiS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

SUZUKI GRAND VITARA THREE DOOR 1.6 AND 1.9 DDiS EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Note to editors:
All Suzuki Grand Vitara models are covered by Suzuki Shield, a three-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty; by Suzuki Assistance, providing 24-hour UK and European roadside assistance, recovery and associated services and by a 12-year perforation warranty.