Grand Vitara: are the official specs understated?

[nilanjanray]

I have enjoyed reading about the GV here, and am thinking about buying one.

Recently I went for a test drive, and heard something interesting. The sales guy told me that the actual performance figures for Vitara are higher than what is officially stated. Reason - to cut down on road tax, and/or to comply with certain regulations. He gave me the ‘example’ of the Baleno which was apparently 110 BHP even though the official figure was 96 BHP. Any chance that there is some truth to this, or is this a standard sales pitch? Wouldn't the government be wise to tactics like this?

I haven't had much experience of driving high performance or expensive cars/ SUVs, so can't really make out whether Vitara performance is ok as per the specs, or better. Can the owners/ experts help out? Btw, thanks to all who responded to my query regarding whether the GV boot space is large enough for a frisky Irish Setter. It seemed roomy enough.

The sales guy also said that he had driven the Vitara at 185 kmph on a test track. Is that possible with the Vitara? I remember Sudev saying that he drove it at 175 kmph…

Regarding the test drive:

• Felt stable and solid at moderately high speeds
• Bumps/ potholes can be felt at lower speeds; pleasure to drive over bad roads though (without worrying about car capabilities)
• Lacks pick up; overtaking needs to be planned
• AC is nice; sound system is ok...my old Blaupunkt (in my Indica) sounds better though
• Gave the feeling of safety and confidence – important when one is traveling with family on the roads less traveled, or on the highway; I had some bad experiences with my Indica when I ventured out on forest tracks (e.g. to go to a FRH) or on unmetalled ghat roads. That’s when I decided that someday I will go for a real off-roader.
• Cruising feels nice (but speaking in absolute terms – and not comparing to better cruisers)
• Overall feeling: niche vehicle, but perhaps the right one for some people. I come from a strategic marketing background, and (after researching at Team-BHP and actually driving the vehicle) feel that the positioning and the messaging (on the website and the brochure) could have been much better.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Any chance that there is some truth to this, or is this a standard sales pitch? Wouldn't the government be wise to tactics like this?

Don't believe it, sales guys know very little about GV, in my TD the sales guys went back with much better understanding of a 4x4 than when they came, and they didn't try to hide it. Besides, the actual performance of GV is well documented in international sites, the one we are getting is the same international model, it is not detuned for India. The advertised values are correct.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I haven't had much experience of driving high performance or expensive cars/ SUVs, so can't really make out whether Vitara performance is ok as per the specs, or better.

I have driven high performance beasts (I had a 225HP Acura for 3.5 years), so I can tell you GV is not a high performance SUV in either horsepower or torque.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

The sales guy also said that he had driven the Vitara at 185 kmph on a test track. Is that possible with the Vitara? I remember Sudev saying that he drove it at 175 kmph…

If you are worried about the difference between 175 and 185, then GV is not the vehicle for you. It is for a sedate driver who loves to drive on or off the road. It soaks up bad road like nobody's business. Yesterday I was leading a fiesta 1.6 driven by a spirited driver towards our family farm and it kept falling back to avoid the bumps and holes, which I have totally stopped noticing. I couldn't help smiling in glee.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

[*]Bumps/ potholes can be felt at lower speeds;

Felt, yes. But it smoothens the bounce very well.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

[*]Overall feeling: niche vehicle, but perhaps the right one for some people. I come from a strategic marketing background, and (after researching at Team-BHP and actually driving the vehicle) feel that the positioning and the messaging (on the website and the brochure) could have been much better.

Yes, it is a thoroughly undersold, underestimated, and misunderstood vehicle.

[GTO]

Recently I went for a test drive, and heard something interesting. The sales guy told me that the actual performance figures for Vitara are higher than what is officially stated. Reason - to cut down on road tax, and/or to comply with certain regulations. He gave me the ‘example’ of the Baleno which was apparently 110 BHP even though the official figure was 96 BHP. Any chance that there is some truth to this, or is this a standard sales pitch? Wouldn't the government be wise to tactics like this?

Oh boy, you have been the victim of car salesman nonsense. BHP ratings have no effect on taxes!

[condor]

Doesn't ARAI test a vehicle for it's ratings & specs ?

[akshay1234]

the sales guy is talking crap. dont we wish the baleno wouldve been 110bhp.

[nilanjanray]

QUOTE:"If you are worried about the difference between 175 and 185, then GV is not the vehicle for you."

175 or 186 doesn't matter at all - if it did, I would look at a sedan or even the CRV :-). My reason for asking was to check to what extent the sales guy had been bull****ting (which I suspected). When I talk to him next, I will deal with him negotiate accordingly.

I once went up till the Chinese border in North Sikkim (through Lachen valley) - staying with the Army folks. The rented Sumo (!) took my wife and me till 16,500. It couldn't handle the last, steep climb to 18,000+ (the last bunker in that sector) - the Army Gypsy could though. Want to make many such trips, me driving this time - and the GV would be perfect for this since I don't want a Gypsy or a Jeep, and can't afford a Pajero. Besides, the GV would be great for the drive from Bangalore to Kolkata as well.

Thanks all for clarifying. Doesn't change my decision in anyway though - 80% sure now that would be going for it.

Any rumor of a diesel version coming out in the next few months? I Googled, but couldn't find anything. I did see a Financial Express article saying how the GV sales have gone down after the launch of 'more impressive looking' vehicles such as the Captiva and the Thunder+. Thought that Maruti might be planning to do something (like launch a diesel version) to pick up sales which has apparently come down to around 50 per month).

[kesri]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Thanks all for clarifying. Doesn't change my decision in anyway though - 80% sure now that would be going for it.

Any rumor of a diesel version coming out in the next few months? I Googled, but couldn't find anything. I did see a Financial Express article saying how the GV sales have gone down after the launch of 'more impressive looking' vehicles such as the Captiva and the Thunder+. Thought that Maruti might be planning to do something (like launch a diesel version) to pick up sales which has apparently come down to around 50 per month).

Hi Nilanjan ... What is the approx price range for a GV? where can i see the detaield specs for this?

[nilanjanray]

Price: On road is around 16.8L in Bangalore for the manual version. AT is appx. 1 L extra.

Specs: - check out Carwale, Driveinside, or Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

[sudev]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I once went up till the Chinese border in North Sikkim (through Lachen valley) - staying with the Army folks. The rented Sumo (!) took my wife and me till 16,500. It couldn't handle the last, steep climb to 18,000+ (the last bunker in that sector) - the Army Gypsy could though. Want to make many such trips, me driving this time - and the GV would be perfect for this since I don't want a Gypsy or a Jeep, and can't afford a Pajero. Besides, the GV would be great for the drive from Bangalore to Kolkata as well

For comparison when I went in a Qualis it struggled up the Tanglang La going on the Manali - Leh route at height of ~17500ft. Few times I had to shove it in to first even on small straights. GV climbed mostly in second / third gear as do Gypsy's.

Any rumor of a diesel version coming out in the next few months?

AFAIK the rumor us that there are some restrictions on Suzuki to use diesels from the FIAT/GM stable in India, some convulted agreements in the past. So I do not see the current GV engine, as sold in Europe, finding its way here.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by sudev

For comparison when I went in a Qualis it struggled up the Tanglang La going on the Manali - Leh route at height of ~17500ft. Few times I had to shove it in to first even on small straights. GV climbed mostly in second / third gear as do Gypsy's.

Thanks Sudev. You have driven 30,000+ KMs in your Girand Vitara - have you faced any issues yet? E.g. rattling noises, parts changes etc.? Or is it still as smooth and tough as new?

Do you have the Graphite Grey GV?

[sudev]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

You have driven 30,000+ KMs in your Girand Vitara - have you faced any issues yet? E.g. rattling noises, parts changes etc.? Or is it still as smooth and tough as new?

It is now almost half as much again on the odo now. No issues yet. Posted details on some other thread too.

Do you have the Graphite Grey GV?

Yes.

[kesri]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Price: On road is around 16.8L in Bangalore for the manual version. AT is appx. 1 L extra.

Specs: - check out Carwale, Driveinside, or Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Thanks for the info ..will checkout.