India's largest passenger vehicle company Maruti Suzuki India on Monday started retail sales of its newest NEXA offering -- the Grand Vitara, a cross-badged variant of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hydryer. The Grand Vitara is the first vehicle to be powered by Toyota’s self-charging hybrid technology, as part of the agreement Suzuki has signed with Toyota for the Indian markets.
The SUV comes with an electric hybrid powertrain, with a fuel efficiency of 27.97 per km, progressive smart hybrid and Suzuki ALLGRIP SELECT technology.
The Grand Vitara price starts at ₹10.45 lakh. The New Grand Vitara will be available in 10 variants, with 3 dual-tone and 6 monotone colour options. With the Grand Vitara launch on the first day of Navratri, which marks the beginning of the festive season, Maruti aims to cash in on the festive fervour.
This is for the first time that a Maruti vehicle will have self-charging technology. The Grand Vitara will compete with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Volkswagen Taigun, among others.
Maruti Suzuki CEO and MD Hisashi Takeuchi says the Grand Vitara has already received over 57,000 bookings. "The Grand Vitara intelligent electric hybrid boasts segment-leading fuel-efficiency and a pure EV driving mode." He also said the Grand Vitara, featuring Suzuki’s ALLGRIP SELECT tech will attract hardcore SUV fans.
The Grand Vitara is the first product as part of MSIL’s plans to double down on the mid-size SUV segment, and its success will chart the course of the company’s future products.
Toyota launched the iteration of the same SUV -- Toyota Hyryder Urban Cross -- on September 9, with prices starting from ₹15.11 lakh and going up to ₹18.99 lakh.
The hybrid powertrain in the models of these cars allows them to run on the so-called 'pure EV mode' i.e. battery mode by working as an electric car. So, if one is using the hybrid powertrain of the Grand Vitara, people commuting short distances can really benefit from this feature.
The Grand Vitara variants:
Progressive Smart Hybrid
The Grand Vitara's progressive smart hybrid is available with 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options. It's powered by the next-gen K-series 1.5-litre, dual jet, dual VVT engine. Maruti claims this powertrain can deliver a fuel efficiency of up to 21.11km/litre. It comes with a dual battery setup, designed for brake energy regeneration, torque assist and idle stop-start function. The versions under this technology are available from ₹10.45 lakh to ₹17.05 lakh.
Intelligent Electric Hybrid
The advanced intelligent electric hybrid boasts of dual powertrain system, which uses an electric motor and a 1.5-litre engine. The self-charging hybrid SUV features drive modes such as EV, Eco, Power and Normal. It'll allow customers to switch between the engine and electric drive modes. Maruti says the setup harnesses the power of both powertrains, depending on the driving situation. Driving as a pure EV, the SUV comes with a standard warranty of 8 years/160,000 km on the Li-ion battery pack. It can deliver a fuel efficiency of 27.97 km/litre, claimed as best-in-class by Maruti.
Features such as coloured heads-up-display, 360-degree parking camera system, ventilated seats, etc, also set this variant apart. Its Zeta+ and Alpha+ variants are available, with prices ranging from ₹17.99 lakh to ₹19.65 lakh.
To encourage faster EV adoption, the electric hybrid comes with an introductory package worth over ₹67,000, consisting of an extended warranty till 5 years/1 lakh km and a PRISTINE Genuine NEXA accessory pack.
Suzuki ALLGRIP SELECT
Maruti is targetting adventurous SUV buyers with ALLGRIP SELECT. It provides an option to choose from four driving modes --auto, sport, snow, and lock. The company claims the Grand Vitara ALLGRIP SELECT will redefine the mid-size SUV segment and open up new avenues for SUV enthusiasts. It is priced at ₹16.89 lakh and offers a fuel efficiency of 19.38 km/litre.
Top Features
Apart from the high-tech powertrain, the Grand Vitara sports new-age features like a panoramic sunroof with dual sliding panes, wireless phone charging dock, coloured head-up-display, 360-degree parking camera system, in-built Suzuki Connect technology, Smart Play Pro+ Infotainment system, ventilated front seats.
Built on the acclaimed Suzuki TECT platform (Global C-platform), the Grand Vitara will come with 6 airbags (front, side and curtain) Electronic stability program with a hill-hold assist, 3-point ELR seat belts for all seats, and front and rear disc brakes across all variants. It'll also come with hill descent control for a controlled descent in demanding conditions and a tire pressure monitoring system.
