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S. Muralidhar

IN today's world, where customer is the king, even the automobile industry, it seems, cannot afford not to offer price-offs and freebies. And anyways it is that time of the year when sellers fall over one another to offer deals. Automobile companies have done this and also come out with new variants that are either more advanced or, at the least, more "value for money."

Despite the relatively slow acceleration by the recently introduced sports utility vehicles (SUVs), it still has not deterred manufacturers from introducing new variants and special editions to lure the customers.

That brings us to this week's product profiles: Two new variants of existing SUVs — one desi and the other a complete import. One which is a local maverick, now bashfully loaded with the trappings of a luxury automobile, and the other, a next-generation variant of a fairly new import, is also an upgrade from the heavy weight to the super-heavyweight class in terms of power. The two we are talking about are the Tata Safari Exi from Tata Motors and the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 from Maruti Udyog.

Grand Vitara goes V6

First off the block this week will be the new Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. The new version — the latest generation Suzuki SUV flagship — has upgraded looks and a new engine but the same old name. As was the case with the earlier version, the new Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 will be completely imported from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), Japan. SMC started production of the new Grand Vitara XL-7 in June 2003, and it is being launched in phases across the world.

Clearly, with the new Grand Vitara XL-7, Maruti is stepping into the ring for a slugfest with the other imported SUVs in the "max" power game. More than the striking external makeover, the biggest change the vehicle has been put through is the new 2.7-litre engine. This double overhead camshaft (DOHC), 24 valves, V6 engine with a variable intake system that boosts its maximum power to 166bhp at 6,000 rpm from the max power of 154bhp that the previous version offered.

This higher power catapults the Vitara XL-7 to the top of the charts raw power and in terms of the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio (PTWR). Among the other full-sized SUVs, the 3.2-litre diesel engine of the Mitsubishi Pajero GLX (the more powerful Pajero variant compared to the 2.8-litre GLX) puts out 158bhp, and has a PTWR of 74 bhp per tonne, compared to the new Vitara's PTWR of 98bhp per tonne. The other full-sized SUV, the Hyundai Terracan sports a 2.9-litre, CRDi diesel engine that offers 150bhp and a PTWR of about 70bhp per tonne.

Closest to the new Vitara in the PTWR game is the Honda CR-V with 96bhp per tonne. The new variable intake system in the Vitara XL-7 boosts power on demand and, thus, improves the vehicle's responsiveness. The maximum torque for the new Vitara is also an improved 236Nm at 4,000 rpm.

The Vitara also continues to offer the easy-to-use electrical shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive (4WD) option. The Hyundai Terracan is the only other vehicle to offer this feature, which allows shifting from two wheel drive to 4WD with the turn of a knob. Along with the short throw five-speed manual transmission, it makes driving the Vitara easy even off-road. While the new Grand Vitara XL-7 offers more power and improved performance, it also comes with several new external features that enhance its looks.

The new large format headlamps, that seem to have become the norm in this segment, give it a more robust, squat look.

There is a new body coloured front grille to go with the front bumpers. This feature, that adds another 6 cm to the vehicle's length, improves its looks.

The Grand Vitara XL-7 also comes with new factory-optioned alloy wheels, tubeless radials and an enlarged pair of front fog lamps. For better protection while off-roading, there is also an additional undercover for the engine in the new version.

The second row seat adjustment and folding has been further simplified for easier entry and exit. The other luxury interior features continue to be the same. One new colour has been added.

The new Grand Vitara XL-7 has been priced at Rs 16.98 lakh, ex-showroom in Delhi. This is just Rs 21,000 more than the previous version's price.

Sub-Rs10 lakh luxury SUV and `desi' too

Tata Motors' experience with the Safari, its indigenously developed luxury SUV, has obviously not been on a par with the blockbuster successes of its two passenger cars — the Indica and the Indigo.

That has been reason enough for Tata Motors to continue refining the Safari and keep upping its value-for-money proposition.

The result of the need to infuse more value into the Safari and to offer a petrol-driven variant to strike it out and fight the market against the new breed of imported, more powerful petrol SUVs is the Safari EXi.

The new Safari EXi features a 2,092cc, 16-valve, DOHC petrol engine that generates a max power of 135PS at 5,630rpm. The multi-point fuel injected engine, which also has an integrated knock sensor, has a maximum torque of 195Nm at 3,750 rpm.

Luxury add-ons in the Safari Exi, include dual airbags for the driver and front passenger, that supposedly inflate within 40 milliseconds of an head-on collision, an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution; keyless entry; roof-mounted, dual control air-conditioning; and a five-component CD compatible music system with remote control. The safety features include energy-absorbing front and rear bumpers, central locking, an engine immobiliser to guard against theft, crumple zones in the front, and side impact bars. The Safari EXi is a 4WD version and also offers an electrically operated shift-on-the-fly mechanism.

Other luxury features that were offered in the earlier Safari 4X4 EX continue to be available in the new EXi petrol. The EXi is priced at nearly Rs 9.5 lakh ex-showroom.

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