Maruti Suzuki is considering to locally assemble the Grand Vitara by next year, as it looks to bring a diesel version of the SUV to bump the sales. The company which currently imports the Grand Vitara from Japan, has already started the initial process for starting assembly of the SUV, including talks with component makers for supply of parts. Initially the diesel Vitara would be a completely-built-unit (CBU). CBUs attract over 100% import duty, making it highly expensive and uncompetitive.

In the recent months, sales of Grand Vitara is falling drastically. During April-September period, sales of the SUV fell nearly 70% to just 59 units from 194 units in the year-ago period. In July, a more powerful version of the Grand Vitara was introduced to revive the demand but failed to do so. In September, sales declined by 53% to only 9 units as against 19 units in the same month last year.

Maruti Suzuki has launched the new 2.4L Grand Vitara. The 2.4L GV gets a boost in power and torque along with minor changes to the interiors.  The new Grand Vitara comes with a 2.4 litre VVT (Variable Valve Timing) engine that delivers a power of 163.5bhp @ 6000rpm and torque of 225NM @ 4000rpm. Maruti claims the VVT engine will deliver a balanced mix of power and efficiency.

“The new version of Grand Vitara takes the three decades of Suzuki SUV heritage to the next level. Highly popular the world over, the Grand Vitara is one of the global strategic models in Suzuki Range. For all those customers, who are increasingly looking at SUVs, the Grand Vitara 2.4 offers more power and the best in class 4X4 drive at a highly competitive price,” Mr. Mayank Pareek, Executive Officer (M&S) Maruti Suzuki India Limited said.

Following are the features of the Grand Vitara 2.4L :  -

• All-time, 4-mode, 4-Wheel Drive (4WD)
• Rear disc brakes
• Multi Information Display (MID) (Displays Cruising range, Average speed and instantaneous fuel consumption, low fuel warning.
• New front grille
• New front bumper
• New 17 inch alloy wheels
• 6-CD changer
• Sliding centre-console armrest

The new Grand Vitara 2.4 comes in two variants – 5-speed Manual Transmission and 4-speed Automatic Transmission. The Grand Vitara 2.4 is priced at Rs. Rs. 16.67 lakh for the manual and Rs. 17.97 lakh for the automatic. All prices ex-Showroom, Delhi.

As posted earlier Maruti will launch the Grand Vitara with a more powerful engine in the first week of July this year. The more powerful Grand Vitara will get a 2.4L VTT petrol powerplant with 160bhp on tap and will help the SUV comply with Bharat IV norms. Maruti has updated the Grand Vitara site, which says “New Grand Vitara 2.4 litre Coming Soon In First week of July”.

As part of its plans to upgrade engines to Bharat IV norms, the countries largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki will launch an upgraded Grand Vitara with a new engine in July, 2009. The new Grand Viatara will get a 2.4L VTT petrol engine with 160 horses on tap, which is 40bhp up on the current 2.0L Viatara.  A 1.9 DDIS diesel is expected next year. Currently Maruti is in stock clearing mode with the Grand Vitara Silver Edition.

Maruti Suzuki is making way for the new Grand Vitara by selling the silver edition with limited stock for a limited period of time. The Silver Edition Grand Vitara comes with thirteen new accessories and is available in only one colour – silky silver.

The thirteen new accessories in the Grand Vitara Silver Edition are :-

• Bumper Corner Protector
• Body Side Moulding
• Chrome Door Sill Guard
• Front Guard
• Front & Rear Mud Flaps
• Silver Finish Grille
• Chrome Mirror Cover
• Rear Upper Spoiler
• Tail Lamp Garnish
• Instrument Panel Trim
• Antenna Cover
• Muffler Extension
• Full Leather Seat Covers