Next Grand Vits The Bill

By Ross Pinnock

25th May 2005

As you can see from these photographs, the curves of the old model have been replaced by sharp lines and angles. These, combined with a deep front bumper, imposing grille and flared wheelarches, give the car an aggressive look. Badged Escudo in its home market, the new Grand Vitara is longer and wider than the model it replaces, meaning a far more spacious cabin. Higher-quality materials make for a classier feel inside as well.

Two bodystyles will again be available; a three and a five-door. The former will be equipped with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, while buyers of the lat-ter have the option of either 2.0-litre petrol or 1.9-litre diesel powerplants. A 2.5-litre V6 variant will be added to the line-up next summer.

All versions will be fitted with a new full-time four-wheel-drive system. And the SUV also benefits from a clever monocoque construction that incorporates a separate ladder frame element, which will offer a decent compromise between on and off-road ability.

However, the increase in cost means buyers have to pay for the improvements. Bosses are said to be using prices for Toyota's RAV4 as a guide - which means the 2.0-litre five-door is likely to start from around ΂£17,000.