Is the Suzuki Grand Vitara making a PH comeback?
Suzuki PH gets regulatory approval for what appears to be a crossover with a 1462cc engine
Last week, we received information that Suzuki Philippines Inc. was given regulatory approval for a new light-duty vehicle. Based on the mystery vehicle’s specs, weight, and origin, it appears the automaker is preparing to launch the Eeco microvan for the Philippine market.
Fast forward a week later, the brand has received yet another approval, this time for an upcoming passenger vehicle. Based on the initial info we received, the mystery vehicle will have a 1462cc gasoline-powered engine which likely means it will be powered by a K15 series motor. Not only that, but it has a reference weight of around 1160 kg.
After cross-checking the numbers and checking what other Suzuki vehicles are already available in Southeast Asia, the company appears to be planning to launch the all-new Grand Vitara. That’s right, after making its regional debut in Indonesia last year, the automaker seems to have decided to bring back the Grand Vitara nameplate.
First launched in India, the Grand Vitara serves as the brand’s latest B-SUV offering and differs from the regular Vitara which was discontinued from the Philippine market two years ago. It measures 4345mm long, 1795mm wide, 1635mm tall, and has a 2600mm wheelbase.
In the Indian market, the Grand Vitara is available with two powertrains. First is the Toyota-derived 1.5-liter M15D-FXE hybrid electric system which delivers a combined 116 PS with 141 Nm of torque. It is then paired with an eCVT that drives the front wheels.
The other engine is a 1.5-liter K15C four-cylinder engine that benefits from a 12V mild-hybrid system. It makes a humble 103 PS with 137 Nm of torque and is connected to a 6-speed automatic gearbox driving the front wheels.
The 1.5-liter hybrid derived from Toyota has a displacement of 1490cc while the 1.5-liter mild-hybrid from Suzuki has an exact displacement of 1462cc. With it, it appears Suzuki has chosen the latter option for the Philippine market. Combined with the reference weight of 1160 kg which is the same curb weight of the mild-hybrid Grand Vitara in other markets, the numbers continue to point towards the mild-hybrid variant of the said crossover.
So far, Suzuki Philippines Inc. has yet to make any official announcements about any upcoming new vehicle launches. But should they announce that they will be bringing in a new crossover, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that it will be the Grand Vitara. With the B-SUV market heating up, perhaps Suzuki has decided to re-enter the highly competitive segment.
