Maruti Suzuki to unveil new version of SUV (New Vitara) EDIT: Now Launched

ravibhat · 11th July 2007, 17:21

You are right BUSA about MUL about handsome plan of using same parts
on multiple vehicles.

MUL has great planning but its products are cheap ones thats unfortunate.

MUL use same engine on Estilo and WagonR and same platform for alto/wagonR/Estilo, this is good idea but when it did it should give quality stuffs for end user thats called 2 way profit making, but I feel MUL thinks only its way and expects indian to fell prey for it.

Only good thing about MUL is its pricing. Its pricing is cheap I agree that.

I didn't check GV yet anyway I am not going to buy it. But I heard the samething because there will be big launches in coming days MUL is getting ready to retain its top spot. I wish TATA-FIAT break it.

Regards,

Ravi.

raul · 11th July 2007, 17:30

If I am not mistaken, GV in all markets is shipping with rear drum brakes and Suzuki is taking a lot of rap for this. And the India model is a full imported cbu, so Indian consumers are not being shortchanged, even the pricing after conversion is not far off from its prices in other markets, I think this is a good deal and as an Indian consumer I wish more manufacturers would do this. Not pass off lower featured or shoddy products just in the Indian market under the guise of "Indian conditions" or overprice their products.

anandpadhye · 11th July 2007, 19:58

raul,
you said it.
whatever product they have in the world, if they are selling same thing here then I am OK.

More than interior, I would really look at good reliable engine, high ground clearance, decent 4x4 with economical maintenance from any SUV right now.

I am not at all rich to afford anything in this price range, but the roads here and near my hometown compell me to look for SUV like thing...

I tried filling up the form online at Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara but it consistently gives "500 internal server error". So can not register for TD.

I tried to force myself to like Safari and Scorpio but overall quality and non-reliability forced me to look elsewhere. My sincere thanks to all the Safari owners here - many of them helped me with the inside info on the dealer/product/future roadmap etc. but the current state of art of Safari is not up to the mark.

rangaraj · 13th July 2007, 15:25

Its been a while since the announcement, but no GV's have arrived in bangalore. Has any member had a chance to test drive it?

merve_extreme · 13th July 2007, 20:01

will be going for one tomorrow.

anandpadhye · 13th July 2007, 20:54

Do post a detailed Test Drive report.

merve_extreme · 13th July 2007, 21:04

yes will definately post a report.

shuvd · 14th July 2007, 11:56

Have a TD scheduled today afternoon. Will be going with another teambhp member, shuvc. OTR Calcutta is 14.93.

hondadude · 14th July 2007, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvd

Have a TD scheduled today afternoon. Will be going with another teambhp member, shuvc. OTR Calcutta is 14.93.

Looking forward to a test report from both the test drives (yours and Merve_extreme).

merve_extreme · 14th July 2007, 18:24

went to the showroom today,they did not have one ready for test drive,only display.I'll be going back next week.

my apologies for not keeping my word.

shuvd · 14th July 2007, 19:53

Drove the AT Vitara.

Teambhp members present : shuvc, razor4077, blackpearl and yours truly.
We thought that the sales guy was getting the MT but, someone had crashed their demo vehicle during a TD.
Initial impressions
Looks - Subjective. I liked the compact dimensions, good for the city. Fit and finish also quite good.
Interiors - I prefer black/dark trim and the GV delivers. Front seats are quite comfy and so are the rear seats. Seating three is a bit too cozy if the passengers are my size. But for regular sized folks, its okay. Rear visibility is bad with three in the rear seats. The middle head rest also blocks the view.
Engine - On paper, the car seems underpowered. But, on road... MAN! This is a fast car (wrt the power output and the GVW). The engine loves to be revved hard and sounds very good near the red line.
Transmission - Not bad for an auto, not bad indeed! The shifts were happening at 6000 rpm! Generally, autos don't shift that high do they? But, the initial hesitancy is there. The reverse ratio is strange. Nearly crashed into a tree as the car leapt backwards with a small jab on the loud pedal!
Ride and handling - Good compromise between ride and handling. Minimal body roll and potholes were dismissed with thunk-thunk sound. Grip is amazing due to permanent all wheel drive. Didn't get a chance to play with the different ratios as the sales guy didn't know how to engage those. The car had Yokos.
Overall, a good experience. Can't wait to drive the manual

A better and more detailed report will be filed by either shuvc or razor. And the pics are with razor.

@ Mods - Please shift this post if you think a new thread should be started.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 14th July 2007, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvd

Drove the AT Vitara.
Teambhp members present : shuvc, razor4077, blackpearl and yours truly.
We thought that the sales guy was getting the MT but, someone had crashed their demo vehicle during a TD.
Initial impressions
Looks - Subjective. I liked the compact dimensions, good for the city. Fit and finish also quite good.
Interiors - I prefer black/dark trim and the GV delivers. Front seats are quite comfy and so are the rear seats. Seating three is a bit too cozy if the passengers are my size. But for regular sized folks, its okay. Rear visibility is bad with three in the rear seats. The middle head rest also blocks the view.
Engine - On paper, the car seems underpowered. But, on road... MAN! This is a fast car (wrt the power output and the GVW). The engine loves to be revved hard and sounds very good near the red line.
Transmission - Not bad for an auto, not bad indeed! The shifts were happening at 6000 rpm! Generally, autos don't shift that high do they? But, the initial hesitancy is there. The reverse ratio is strange. Nearly crashed into a tree as the car leapt backwards with a small jab on the loud pedal!
Ride and handling - Good compromise between ride and handling. Minimal body roll and potholes were dismissed with thunk-thunk sound. Grip is amazing due to permanent all wheel drive. Didn't get a chance to play with the different ratios as the sales guy didn't know how to engage those. The car had Yokos.
Overall, a good experience. Can't wait to drive the manual

A better and more detailed report will be filed by either shuvc or razor. And the pics are with razor.

So, the first TD report. Seems like our statements about the car could be proved wrong?

1. Howz the engine compared to the CRV? Power, NVH, driveability?
2. Since you have mentioned the fit and finish is good. How about the quality of plastics?
3. Shifts at 6000rpm, for an Auto? Man! Sounds fun! Its 4 speed auto, right. Any disadvantages cause of that (Since CRV has 5 speed)
4. Is it car-like to drive, as the CRV?
5. Thinks its a winner at that price level?

shuvc, razor4077, blackpearl and shuvd- looking forward to the answers.

BUSA · 14th July 2007, 20:34

Quote:

Fit and finish also quite good

I am sure the quality must be real good since ShuvD drives a Octy which has ver good quality too, so his expectations would be high for the GV.

How was the braking with the rear Discs.

anandpadhye · 15th July 2007, 00:00

Yaa Hoooo....
Finally, some good SUV.

What's this permanent all wheel drive???
Will it spoil the FE?

shuvc · 15th July 2007, 00:22

Continuing @shuvds post on the TD in a new thread here.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/new-in...tml#post500189

11th July 2007, 17:21	#226
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	You are right BUSA about MUL about handsome plan of using same parts on multiple vehicles. MUL has great planning but its products are cheap ones thats unfortunate. MUL use same engine on Estilo and WagonR and same platform for alto/wagonR/Estilo, this is good idea but when it did it should give quality stuffs for end user thats called 2 way profit making, but I feel MUL thinks only its way and expects indian to fell prey for it. Only good thing about MUL is its pricing. Its pricing is cheap I agree that. I didn't check GV yet anyway I am not going to buy it. But I heard the samething because there will be big launches in coming days MUL is getting ready to retain its top spot. I wish TATA-FIAT break it. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 17:30	#227
raul BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 920 Thanked: 372 Times	If I am not mistaken, GV in all markets is shipping with rear drum brakes and Suzuki is taking a lot of rap for this. And the India model is a full imported cbu, so Indian consumers are not being shortchanged, even the pricing after conversion is not far off from its prices in other markets, I think this is a good deal and as an Indian consumer I wish more manufacturers would do this. Not pass off lower featured or shoddy products just in the Indian market under the guise of "Indian conditions" or overprice their products.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 19:58	#228
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	raul, you said it. whatever product they have in the world, if they are selling same thing here then I am OK. More than interior, I would really look at good reliable engine, high ground clearance, decent 4x4 with economical maintenance from any SUV right now. I am not at all rich to afford anything in this price range, but the roads here and near my hometown compell me to look for SUV like thing... I tried filling up the form online at Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara but it consistently gives "500 internal server error". So can not register for TD. I tried to force myself to like Safari and Scorpio but overall quality and non-reliability forced me to look elsewhere. My sincere thanks to all the Safari owners here - many of them helped me with the inside info on the dealer/product/future roadmap etc. but the current state of art of Safari is not up to the mark.
	() Thanks

13th July 2007, 15:25	#229
rangaraj BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 570 Thanked: 10 Times	Its been a while since the announcement, but no GV's have arrived in bangalore. Has any member had a chance to test drive it?
	() Thanks

13th July 2007, 20:01	#230
merve_extreme Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	will be going for one tomorrow.
	() Thanks

13th July 2007, 20:54	#231
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	Do post a detailed Test Drive report.
	() Thanks

13th July 2007, 21:04	#232
merve_extreme Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	yes will definately post a report.
	() Thanks

14th July 2007, 11:56	#233
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	Have a TD scheduled today afternoon. Will be going with another teambhp member, shuvc. OTR Calcutta is 14.93.
	() Thanks

14th July 2007, 18:24	#235
merve_extreme Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	went to the showroom today,they did not have one ready for test drive,only display.I'll be going back next week. my apologies for not keeping my word.
	() Thanks

14th July 2007, 19:53	#236
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	Drove the AT Vitara. Teambhp members present : shuvc, razor4077, blackpearl and yours truly. We thought that the sales guy was getting the MT but, someone had crashed their demo vehicle during a TD. Initial impressions Looks - Subjective. I liked the compact dimensions, good for the city. Fit and finish also quite good. Interiors - I prefer black/dark trim and the GV delivers. Front seats are quite comfy and so are the rear seats. Seating three is a bit too cozy if the passengers are my size. But for regular sized folks, its okay. Rear visibility is bad with three in the rear seats. The middle head rest also blocks the view. Engine - On paper, the car seems underpowered. But, on road... MAN! This is a fast car (wrt the power output and the GVW). The engine loves to be revved hard and sounds very good near the red line. Transmission - Not bad for an auto, not bad indeed! The shifts were happening at 6000 rpm! Generally, autos don't shift that high do they? But, the initial hesitancy is there. The reverse ratio is strange. Nearly crashed into a tree as the car leapt backwards with a small jab on the loud pedal! Ride and handling - Good compromise between ride and handling. Minimal body roll and potholes were dismissed with thunk-thunk sound. Grip is amazing due to permanent all wheel drive. Didn't get a chance to play with the different ratios as the sales guy didn't know how to engage those. The car had Yokos. Overall, a good experience. Can't wait to drive the manual A better and more detailed report will be filed by either shuvc or razor. And the pics are with razor. @ Mods - Please shift this post if you think a new thread should be started. Last edited by shuvd : 14th July 2007 at 20:05.
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 00:00	#239
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	Yaa Hoooo.... Finally, some good SUV. What's this permanent all wheel drive??? Will it spoil the FE?
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 00:22	#240
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	Continuing @shuvds post on the TD in a new thread here. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/new-in...tml#post500189
	() Thanks