[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by Pran

Off-roading capabilities of Grand Vitara
https://Youtu.be/GeQpg8REgXM

It would have been better had MSIL had put some more efforts in this. The "track" is something most modern hatchbacks (like the Punch) will clear with little effort. If anything - those lame runs and videos of the Grand Vitara - are showing a lot of unskilled driving, coaching and wheelspin, undermining the otherwise good AllGrip's credentials!
(Heck - actually Tata did better PR events of the Punch, showing off its software (and brake) controlled front diffs etc.)

Those planning this & arranging for the test track, should know what is needed to be shown if something is to be sold with AWD as the sales plank!

[UD17]

Originally Posted by Pran

Off-roading capabilities of Grand Vitara
https://Youtu.be/GeQpg8REgXM

Thanks for the video. Its appalling that the demonstration are far from showing the off road capabilities. I don't know what are they trying to show in these off roader track (designed for Grand Vitara)?

On the other hand i could feel the lack of ground clearance and scraping for underbelly in initial half of the video.

[alokk0912]

I don't think any serious off-roader will be considering Maruti GV. For rest, this video is good enough to have peace of mind as it will hardly be ever tested by majority in the real world. That way, this marketing pitch will help them sell a few more for sure.

[tarmacnaut]

Originally Posted by UD17

On the other hand i could feel the lack of ground clearance and scraping for underbelly in initial half of the video.

Grand Vitara has the highest ground clearance in the segment - 210 mm. This is same as the Suzuki Jimny, a serious off roader.

I watched the video, the underbelly is not completely visible in most of the sections in the trail to confirm any scraping, as the shadow of the car hides it. The reviews coming on 18th September can give some insights.

And no other car in the segment was put to these kind of tests by their manufacturers, however basic the tests might seem. This shows Suzuki's confidence and validates the SUV credentials, atleast to the general public if not for enthusiasts.

[PaddleShifter]

Why are we so pessimistic and dismissive of everything related to new car launches from almost all manufacturers these days?
Check any new car launch thread and almost all are filled with disappointments after every new detail is revealed in that thread.

Already many of us have criticized the pricing of the Grand Vitara and now we want Maruti to demonstrate proper off roading from this soft off roader. Those who need an off roader should get the amazing Thar or the rugged Force Gurkha. Then there are CUVs/Scorpios to do it with comfort as well. Grand Vitara is not the car for that experience.

The Allgrip (AWD) variant is just supposed to cater those who were critical of lack of AWD/4x4 in this segment. The best use of AWD in Grand Vitara/HyRyder is to avoid getting stuck in slippery conditions during a trip to say the Leh Ladakh or Spiti region.

Tip: Google “Ford Ecosport struggling to climb” and you will see numerous videos of a FWD 4x2 compact SUV getting stuck while climbing a section.

https://youtu.be/guTFNyNP5TQ

[Kpzonwheels]

Team bhp featuring on nexa's insta handle. Eagerly waiting for the review.

[gururajrv]

Car certainly is a fresh look amongst the lot the only gripe is the lack of turbo variants or even a turbo line up entirely missing from Maruti. Perhaps, they want to just keep the engines free from intricacies the turbo direct injected engines bring into the line up.

53000 bookings shows a strong support for the introduction of Grand Vitara from the most trusted company! It reaffirms for Maruti they are going to remain in a comfortable state with their approach of no-diesels, no turbo petrol! They know customers will go for NA hybrids regardless. Waiting for our forums official review.

[volkman10]

Grand Vitara AWD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6g0...annel=91Wheels

[nilesh111]

Has anyone done any research on EV Subsidy, I have a feeling that this high price will be compensated byl EV subsidy in strong hybrid ....maybe price of Smart Hybrids was not rereleased by Toyota...Also as per Haryana EV Policy,strong hybrids come under subsidy this video may help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW2HBPHYDho&t=610s

[Moto$apien]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Grand Vitara AWD:


https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=e6g0...annel=91Wheels

Wow!! This definitely is the spiritual successor to the Mighty Duster AWD.

Other so called SUVs can't even dream to do this with their FWD setup.

Just give us an AT too Maruti

[tarmacnaut]

Originally Posted by Moto$apien

Wow!! This definitely is the spiritual successor to the Mighty Duster AWD.

Other so called SUVs can't even dream to do this with their FWD setup.

Just give us an AT too Maruti

Agree, Grand Vitara seems to be a worthy competitor to erstwhile Duster AWD.

Suzuki has already unveiled the Grand Vitara 6 speed AT + AWD variant in South Africa and this variant also seems to be manufactured in India as per the below article.

It is just Maruti which has omitted that variant in India. Below is the picture showing it and the link to the article. This variant can be expected probably in the coming years, but that will solely depend on the sales numbers of AWD Manual Variant.

https://www.zigwheels.com/news-featu...-africa/46835/

[Venkatesh]

Maruti Grand Vitara 4WD variants make up 5-7% of total bookings.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara has racked up 53,000 bookings

Strong-hybrid variants accounting for 43% of the total bookings

Source

[tarmacnaut]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

Maruti Grand Vitara 4WD variants make up 5-7% of total bookings.

Thanks for the numbers. If this trend continues, then the chances of Maruti launching the AT+AWD variant of Grand Vitara in India are pretty slim. Hope this number improves after the actual launch.

[amalji]

Originally Posted by tarmacnaut

Thanks for the numbers. If this trend continues, then the chances of Maruti launching the AT+AWD variant of Grand Vitara in India are pretty slim. Hope this number improves after the actual launch.

It can become a chicken and egg story as well. The reason why Hexa 4x4 MT did not sell well was not because potential buyers were not interested in the 4x4 system. But for folks who spend 20 lakhs on a car, they did not want to buy an MT vehicle. Had the Hexa offered a 4x4 AT variant, i might have even preferred that over my Innova crysta AT for that single reason!

Maruti should introduce the auto variant and then see the sales surge for their 4x4.

[tarmacnaut]

Originally Posted by amalji

It can become a chicken and egg story as well. The reason why Hexa 4x4 MT did not sell well was not because potential buyers were not interested in the 4x4 system. But for folks who spend 20 lakhs on a car, they did not want to buy an MT vehicle. Had the Hexa offered a 4x4 AT variant, i might have even preferred that over my Innova crysta AT for that single reason!

Maruti should introduce the auto variant and then see the sales surge for their 4x4.

That's true, Maruti should have done that. As per current variant split up, Maruti is targeting only the top end buyers with AWD, as AWD is not present in lower variants. So they might as well add the AT option to the top end AWD. But the reason could be something else, just a speculation.

Maybe Maruti and Toyota do not want the 'Mild Hybrid' to be expensive than 'Strong Hybrid' in any particular variant to justify the premium quotient of 'Strong Hybrid'?

Official Hyryder Prices -
Top end AWD MT = 17.09 Lakh
Hypothetical AWD+AT variant = 17.09 + 1.6L (for automatic) = 18.69 Lakh
Top end Strong Hybrid = 18.99 Lakh

Prices get pretty close. But Top end Strong Hybrid gets additional 'premium' features like ventilated seats, HUD, wireless charger etc.

Adding those features to the hypothetical AWD+AT will make the 'Mild Hybrid' top end (AWD+AT) variant more expensive than 'Strong Hybrid' top end variant. So maybe that's why they ignored the AWD+AT just to keep the 'Strong Hybrid' more premium?

BTW there is no sign of Hyryder launching outside India, atleast so far there are no announcements. Thats why South Africa gets the AWD+AT variant.