Suzuki Vitara Hybrid delayed for Australia

Suzuki Australia will introduce the Vitara Hybrid within the early levels of 2025, based mostly on the facelifted model of the compact SUV revealed for abroad markets earlier this week.

Following the reveal of the up to date mannequin, a spokesperson for the Japanese model’s native division mentioned: “Our Vitara Hybrid mannequin is predicted to be launched Q1 2025.”

This implies an arrival throughout the first quarter of 2025, or January to March inclusive. The spokesperson mentioned ultimate specs for the native lineup have but to be confirmed.

It is going to be the primary time Suzuki has supplied the Vitara with an electrified drivetrain in Australia, regardless of mild-hybrid and ‘Full Hybrid’ choices being supplied in abroad markets like Europe. Nevertheless, it’s a delayed launch following a beforehand communicated late-2024 launch for the electrified Vitara.

The Vitara Hybrid for Australia is predicted to be based mostly on the Vitara Full Hybrid at the moment offered in Europe and the UK, which mixes an 85kW/138Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 24.6kW/60Nm electrical motor-generator.

Driving both the entrance or all-four wheels by way of a six-speed automated handbook transmission, the Vitara Full Hybrid makes use of as little as 5.2 litres per 100km on the mixed WLTP cycle (5.8L/100km 4WD) with CO2 emissions as little as 119g/km.

UK specs quote a 12.7-second 0-100km/h time for the 2WD, and 13.5 seconds for the AllGrip 4WD model. Prime velocity is 180km/h.

The European and UK markets are additionally supplied the choice of a Vitara Gentle Hybrid, which options the 1.4-litre ‘Boosterjet’ turbo petrol obtainable in Australia however teamed with a 48V mild-hybrid system and detuned to 95kW/173Nm.

The place the Full Hybrid is auto-only, the Gentle Hybrid is manual-only, although it nonetheless presents the choice of 2WD and AllGrip 4WD. Gasoline consumption for the MHEV is rated between 5.3-5.9L/100km relying on the variant.

By comparability, Australian-delivered Vitaras, that are sourced from the identical Hungarian manufacturing unit as EU fashions, are supplied with a alternative of a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 86kW and 156Nm or a turbocharged 1.4-litre 4 with 103kW and 220Nm.

Each are supplied with a six-speed computerized transmission, with the 1.6-litre additionally obtainable with a five-speed handbook. The Vitara Turbo moreover presents the choice of an AWD system.

At present, entry variations of the Suzuki Vitara proceed to lack energetic security techniques obtainable increased up within the vary, particularly autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and adaptive cruise management.

Pricing in Australia at the moment begins from $29,990 plus on-road prices for the entry Vitara 2WD with a five-speed handbook, climbing to $40,490 earlier than on-roads for the flagship Vitara Turbo AllGrip 4WD.

Whereas specs for the second Vitara facelift are nonetheless to be confirmed for Australia, it’s anticipated that headline adjustments like enhanced security applied sciences and a brand new infotainment system ought to filter throughout to the native lineup.

The up to date Vitara’s autonomous emergency braking system, known as Twin Sensor Brake Assist II, has an expanded detection space and might detect automobiles, bikes and pedestrians instantly or diagonally forward of it.

The up to date Vitara additionally features a driver monitoring system, utilizing a digital camera hooked up to the instrument panel, in addition to lane-keep help. The adaptive cruise management system makes use of millimetre-wave radar and a monocular digital camera, and is linked to a site visitors signal recognition system.

Inside, there’s a brand new 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which options wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. European-market Vitaras additionally characteristic Suzuki Join, permitting house owners to watch their car remotely by way of a smartphone app.

Externally, the up to date Vitara is distinguished visually by a brand new grille, with chrome strips connecting visually with the headlights and bookending the Suzuki emblem.

There’s a restyled entrance bumper with C-shaped indents incorporating the fog lights, whereas beneath the grille is a black trapezoidal space.

Vitara gross sales in Australia plunged 35.3 per cent in 2023 to 2016 items. It occupies the identical section because the S-Cross, which at 598 gross sales was up 66.1 per cent.

Thus far in 2024 the Vitara is up 46.6 per cent to 620 items delivered to the tip of March, main the S-Cross which has registered 334 items (up 221.2 per cent) over the identical interval.

The present Vitara entered manufacturing again in 2015, arriving in Australia later that 12 months. Which means it’s near celebrating its tenth anniversary, and it stays unclear when a brand new technology will debut.

Suzuki Australia can be planning to launch an S-Cross Full Hybrid both late this 12 months or early subsequent, operating the identical 1.5-litre hybrid system because the Vitara Full Hybrid.

The brand new-generation Swift hatchback can be attributable to launch someday this 12 months, although it’s unclear whether or not the mild-hybrid model is on the playing cards for Australia.

Solely the non-hybrid 61kW 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine has been listed in a authorities submitting, with both a five-speed handbook or a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT).

In response to Japanese specs, the Swift Hybrid is able to the equal of three.9L/100km on the mixed WLTC cycle with a five-speed handbook transmission, or 4.08L/100km with the elective CVT.

Keep tuned to CarExpert for the newest.

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