The Suzuki Vitara range is now enhanced further with the addition of the new S Model.

• All new Vitara S model – on sale in the UK from January 2016.
• New 1.4-litre engine - first application of Suzuki’s new BOOSTERJET technology.
• 140PS Direct Injection Turbocharged engine (DITC) offers a wide spread of torque available from just 1,500rpm.
• Unique S model trim specification includes Gloss Black 17 inch alloy wheels, rear upper spoiler, satin silver door mirrors and red interior stitching.
• CO₂ emissions of 127g/km for manual transmission, just one gram higher for the optional automatic transmission model.
• EC Combined fuel consumption of 52.3mpg for manual transmission model.
• ALLGRIP intelligent four wheel drive fitted as standard equipment on S grade, optional on SZ5.
• Seven airbags including Drivers Knee Airbag fitted as standard on all four Vitara models.
• Smartphone link audio and navigation fitted as standard on SZ-T, SZ5 and S grades.
• Radar Brake Support and Adaptive Cruise Control fitted as standard to SZ5 and S grades.
• Priced at £20,899 for manual and £22,249 for automatic version.

Just eight months after the successful UK launch of the new Vitara, Suzuki is introducing the S model in January 2016 which provides a more sporting and dynamic character to the Vitara line up. Vitara has already proved to be a very popular model in the range with over 5,000 units sold to date.

Specification Highlights

A full standard equipment table for the new S model is listed at the end of this release. The new S has a unique specification that provides a visual difference to other models in the Vitara range.

Standard equipment for all Vitara models in the range is comprehensive and includes seven airbags, alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning and front and rear electric windows.  

The S model is equipped with 17-inch Gloss black alloy wheels, unique grille design, satin silver door mirrors, LED Headlamps with red projector covers, rear upper spoiler and black side body mouldings. For the interior the sporting theme continues with red interior stitching, red accents for air conditioning vent and instruments and aluminium alloy pedals.

Vitara S is available in the following colours:

• Bright Red (solid colour) 
• Cool White Pearl metallic
• Galactic Grey metallic
• Cosmic Black metallic

BOOSTERJET Engine

The new S model is the first Suzuki to be launched that utilises the new BOOSTERJET technology engine which in Vitara is a 140PS 1.4-litre Direct Injection turbocharged unit (DITC). This new engine has compact dimensions and offers 220Nm of torque available from just 1,500rpm through to 4,000rpm.

The BOOSTERJET engine is a newly developed Suzuki unit that is characterised by improved fuel efficiency and driving pleasure that has been made possible by using a small displacement, high torque turbocharger. By controlling the wastegate valve, which closes to create higher boost pressure during heavy load operation and remains open during normal driving, the system reduces pumping loss, thus achieving high levels of both power and fuel-efficiency.

During development, Suzuki’s engineers virtually eliminated the typical delay in turbo power delivery or ‘lag’ by installing the specially developed compact turbo charger attached directly to the cylinder head as well as incorporating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head casting. This design ensures optimum gas flow with minimal heat loss through to the turbo unit. The turbocharger has a boost pressure of 1.1 Bar.

Historically, power and torque delivery from a turbocharged engine would not have been available until much higher engine speeds, offering less flexibility to the driver.

The 1.4-litre engine offers strong benefits in performance too with a 0-62mph acceleration time of 10.2 seconds for both manual and automatic transmissions and a maximum speed, where permitted, of 124mph.

A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard for the new 1.4-litre BOOSTERJET engine with optimised gear ratios to help provide a good combination of performance and fuel economy. Additional measures include a shift lever counterweight to help provide a smooth, positive shift action.

A six-speed automatic transmission is available optionally which has a wide gear ratio range to permit precise driver control and help provide quick response at low vehicle speeds (for instance, when pulling away from standstill or driving slowly uphill). The transmission has an expanded lockup range to promote good acceleration, high fuel economy and low levels of NVH. Additionally, a manual mode is fitted to enable the driver to change gear using shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

CO₂ emissions

The Vitara’s CO₂ emissions are low thanks to the use of high tensile steel and other weight saving measures in the body. This has resulted in the Vitara being one of the lightest SUV’s in it class at just 1,210 kg for the new S model with manual transmission.

An Engine Auto Stop Start system is also used which shuts down the engine when stationary.

Four-wheel drive is typically seen as detrimental to fuel economy and emissions performance. By contrast, Suzuki’s ALLGRIP system enables CO₂ emissions that are remarkably low for a four-wheel drive SUV. CO₂emissions for the new S model with its standard ALLGRIP system and manual transmission is 127g/km and just one gram higher for the optional automatic transmission.

Suzuki evolved its renowned four wheel drive technologies into a new generation that delivers driving pleasure and peace of mind in diverse conditions while promoting economy and limiting the burden four wheel drive cars place on the environment.

Suzuki’s ALLGRIP system is fitted as standard on the new S model. It has four driver-selectable modes for safe, enjoyable driving on diverse surfaces. ALLGRIP debuted in the S-Cross model in 2013 and has since proved very successful.  During development, the Vitara ALLGRIP system was enhanced by the addition of a feed forward function that allocates torque to the rear wheels before any slippage can occur. The system has four driver-selectable modes which are Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock.

On conventional full time 4WD vehicles, feedback control allocates torque to the rear wheels after detecting front wheel drive slippage.

On Vitara, as well as offering feedback control it also offers feed forward control that anticipates slippage based on road surface, throttle opening position, steering angle and other factors. In summary, rather than reacting after grip is lost, it controls the vehicle to prevent grip from being lost which results in greater stability.

The Vitara is rated one of Europe‘s safest cars according to independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP, and received the maximum 5-star rating. Vitara was also the first compact SUV to earn five stars in the more rigorous 2015 Euro NCAP testing programme which reinforces the exemplary level of safety of the model.