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Maruti Suzuki has launched the new Grand Vitara in the Indian Market. “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,” Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) Mayank Pareek said.

The new Grand Vitara 2.4 comes reloaded and enhanced with user convenience and driving comfort. The following features may attract SUV lovers towards the all new Grand Vitara 2.4

The 2.4 litre VVT (Variable Valve Timing) engine
A maximum power of 163.5 bhp @ 6000 rpm
A maximum torque of 225 NM @ 4000 rpm
5-speed Manual Transmission / 4-speed Automatic Transmission
17 inch alloy wheels
Disc brakes in the rear wheels ensure superior braking
A new Multi Information Display (MID)
Centre speaker coupled with a 6-CD changer
Improved acoustics and a redesigned power train
A sliding centre-console armrest for passenger comfort
Stylish new front grille and front bumper
A price tag of Rs 16.67 lakh (5-speed Manual Transmission) and Rs 17.97 lakh (4-speed Automatic Transmission)

The new Grand Vitara is available in the showrooms across the country immediately.

Vicky

The country’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, today reported a 22.63 per cent jump in its sales at 75,109 units in June  against 61,247 units in the same month last year.

Sales in the domestic market grew by 9.51 per cent to 61,773 units in June from 56,411 units in the same month last year, while exports rose by nearly three-fold to 13,336 units compared to 4,836 units in the year-ago period, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a statement.

The company’s sales crossed 70,000-units mark for the sixth consecutive month, besides registering highest-ever export for a single month, it added.  Sales of the company’s oldest and once bread-and-butter model M800 declined by 54.52 per cent at 2,438 units against 5,361 units last year, while A2 segment (comprising Alto, Wagon R, Zen Estillo, Swift, A-Star and Ritz) witnessed a growth of 22.21 per cent at 46,156 units compared with 37,767 units in the same month last year.

Sales in the A3 segment (consisting of SX4 and DZiRE) increased by 5.03 per cent to 6,099 units compared to 5,807 units in the corresponding period last year, the company said.  MSI’s passenger car sales rose by 10.17 per cent at 61,583 units against 55,899 units in the same month in 2008, the statement said.

ET

Maruti Suzuki India has decided to rename the Splash as Ritz for India, as Splash has been already registered by some other manufacturer.

It will be 4th new model for the Maruti Suzuki after the launch of Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4. It is based on an all-new platform. Unlike traditional hatchbacks, the rear end has allowed for a thicker C-pillar and made provision for a smaller quarter glass that is not very different from the Swift. The tailgate has an inward obtuse angle to it. On the inside, the Ritz’s, steering wheel, gear knob, door handles, indicator switches, are similar as on Swift & SX4.

The Ritz uses two new petrol engines and a common-rail diesel. A 1000cc, 65 bhp 3-cylinder and a 1200cc, 86 bhp 4-cylinder engine will power Suzuki’s gasoline aspirations while the 1248cc, 75 bhp multi-jet engine manufactured at Manesar in India will complete the engine lineup.

All these engines will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Market sources suggest that the company could be working on plans to bring the Suzuki Ritz model here in India.

The gear lever is mounted high up and the driving seat is, like the steering wheel, adjustable for height. It controls an electric power steering system with about the right amount of weight but no true feel of the road. Its suspension is quite firm, in an effort to keep it agile despite the height, so it feels accurate enough in corners. For a small car the Ritz has a lot of room, with headroom especially good. The rear seat is set higher than the front seats so all occupants get a good view out, and all seats are comfortable enough. It’s a proper four-seater, and big enough for five at a squeeze.

The boot looks small, especially front-to-rear, but there’s a big compartment hidden under the false floor with the space saver spare wheel hidden in another layer below that. The rear seats fold down in one movement per side, the cushion cranking forward to make space for the descending backrest.

The Ritz is not the successor of any specific former Suzuki model, but a brand-new concept to satisfy the needs of customers in terms of roominess, compactness, modern design, aerodynamics, quality, driveability, performance and environmental friendliness.

It is expected that Maruti will launch Ritz in March-April 2009 in 6 variants with two engine options in a price range between 4 to 5.5 lakhs. Ritz adds to the longest hatchback list from Maruti Suzuki stable, 800, Alto, Zen Estilo, Wagon R, Swift, and the recently launched A-Star & Ritz - all will be available in the same showroom.