AN all-new Grand Vitara has been unveiled by Suzuki, which is larger and more sophisticated than the current car.
It will be seen officially for the first time at next month's Frankfurt motor show and will be sold here in both three and five door forms.
There will be engine choices of two-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel for the five-door range and a 1.6-litre petrol engine for the short wheelbase three-door vehicle. Both of the petrol units will come with the option of automatic transmission and all will receive a new permanent four-wheel drive system.
Suzuki is claiming the best of both worlds in the new Vitara's construction to achieve car-like comfort and handling on tarmac with genuine off-road ability.
This is helped by using the same sort of monocoque body shell construction as a car but with a ladder frame chassis built in. This generates the handling characteristics of a conventional car whilst ensuring the necessary rigidity to deal with the excessive stresses of serious off-roading.
Although no exact dimensions are given at this stage, Suzuki says that both the three and five door models are substantially longer and wider than the current vehicles.
In an obvious move upmarket the company says that not only are the vehicles bigger but they are also more lavishly equipped and receive significant safety enhancements.
Precise specifications and prices will be announced next month but although no exact details are available now, it is likely that the newcomers will be more expensive than those they replace.