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12<br />
Thursday <strong>October</strong> <strong>19</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Incorporating<br />
best motorbuys<br />
www.drivesouth.co.nz<br />
Suzuki Vitara Hybrid lively and effortless<br />
DESPITE BEING offered in<br />
Europe, the UK and Japan<br />
for the last five years, Hybrid<br />
versions of Suzuki’s SUV range<br />
have just made to this side of the<br />
automotive globe.<br />
It’s a case of better late than<br />
never. The government’s clean<br />
car fee and rebate scheme<br />
have no doubt played a part in<br />
Suzuki’s decision to offer a hybrid<br />
version of their popular Vitara<br />
here earlier this year. Ironically,<br />
the arrival in July of tougher<br />
thresholds to qualify for a rebate<br />
Motoring with Bob Nettleton<br />
meant most hybrids, including<br />
the Vitara, no longer qualified for<br />
a rebate. Even worse, some not-so<br />
squeaky-green hybrid credentials<br />
cop a clean car fee.<br />
Three petrol/electric “mild”<br />
Hybrids are available for our<br />
market including a rangetopping<br />
all-wheel drive. Suzuki<br />
claim the Vitara Hybrid Turbo<br />
is at least 15 per cent more<br />
economical than its non-Hybrid<br />
Vitara siblings. It will help us all<br />
breathe a little easier with up to<br />
18 per cent lower CO2 emissions.<br />
Prices start at $39,990<br />
for the Hybrid JX 2WD<br />
manual, with the auto<br />
retailing for $41,990.<br />
Rounding at the range is<br />
the $44,990 JLX AWD<br />
auto that was fronted<br />
for this road test. Some<br />
customisation is offered<br />
with two-tone body<br />
colours as an $800 option.<br />
Suzuki has developed a simple,<br />
light, compact and affordable<br />
Hybrid system comprising an<br />
integrated starter generator,<br />
engine control module, and<br />
an auxiliary power module.<br />
This incorporates a lithium-ion<br />
battery and sensors and a DC/<br />
DC (48 volt to 12 volt) power<br />
converter.<br />
In its new hybridised state, the<br />
motor produces 95kW of power<br />
at 5,500rpm and the maximum<br />
torque of 235Nm at 2,000 to<br />
3,000rpm, up 6.8 per cent<br />
compared to the standard Vitara.<br />
Peak torque inches up by 15Nm.<br />
In spite of the improvement<br />
in fuel consumption and less<br />
emissions, the Hybrid Turbo<br />
retains the lively performance<br />
that helped the Vitara build a<br />
large fan base here. What makes<br />
this engine a real champion is<br />
the 235Nm of torque that is ready<br />
for action from just 1500rpm.<br />
This good mid-range throttle<br />
response makes it one of the most<br />
effortless drives you will find in<br />
a compact urban SUV in this<br />
price bracket. A quick, accurate,<br />
and sweet shifting six-speed<br />
automatic is a very agreeable<br />
Ratings out of 10: Performance 7; Handling 7; Build<br />
Quality 6; Comfort 7; Passenger and Load Space 5; Avg fuel<br />
consumption on road test 6.1L/100km; Value for money 6;<br />
Safety – Five Star ANCAP crash rating. Clean car fee neutral.<br />
Overall points out of 10: 7<br />
gear-changing device and a good<br />
match to the hybrid engine.<br />
There isn’t an abundance of<br />
usable passenger space in a cabin<br />
that always seems a bit tight<br />
and light on headroom for taller<br />
types. One redeeming feature is<br />
the 60/40 split folding rear seat<br />
allowing you to maximise the<br />
limited rear hatch cargo area. An<br />
unexpected bonus is a cleverly<br />
concealed floor in the rear hatch<br />
compartment, perfect for keeping<br />
valuables out of sight of potential<br />
thieves.<br />
The cabin is an obvious area<br />
where the Vitara is showing its<br />
age, and with an eight-year-old<br />
vehicle that’s difficult to disguise.<br />
The test car was let down on<br />
quality by plenty of hard plastic<br />
surfaces throughout the cabin.<br />
It needs to be better, given its<br />
$44,995 asking price.<br />
One of the biggest and<br />
most welcome changes is the<br />
introduction of a range of<br />
new safety technology that<br />
is instrumental in lifting the<br />
Vitara’s safety game a good notch<br />
or two. Heading an extensive<br />
list of worthwhile safety tech<br />
is rear cross traffic alert, blind<br />
spot monitoring, lane departure<br />
warning and adaptive cruise<br />
control.<br />
Handling feels more composed<br />
and planted on the road than<br />
any Vitara I have driven. For a<br />
smallish SUV, the ride is supple<br />
enough, although the suspension<br />
can get a bit vocal over high<br />
frequency bumps in lower speed<br />
urban driving. In the final wash<br />
up, the Hungarian-made Vitara<br />
turbo hybrid is an enjoyable<br />
drive; versatile and with AWD<br />
well suited to out gnarly roads<br />
and weather. On the downside,<br />
fuel economy isn’t much better<br />
than the turbo motor model,<br />
making it hard to justify the<br />
hybrid variant’s premium<br />
pricing.<br />
Vehicle Detailing & Restoration<br />
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Bronze<br />
• High Pressure Rinse<br />
• Body Wash with PH Neutral<br />
Shampoo<br />
• Alloy Wheel Clean<br />
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• Tyre Shine<br />
( Silicone / Non - Silicone)<br />
Hatchback/ Sedan $50<br />
4WD/SUV/Vans $60<br />
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Shampoo<br />
• Alloy Wheel Clean<br />
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( Silicone / Non - Silicone)<br />
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• Exterior and Interior Windows<br />
Clean<br />
Hatchback/ Sedan $90<br />
4WD/SUV/Vans $100<br />
Gold ( For a vehicle that requires<br />
more attention)<br />
• High Pressure Hot Rinse<br />
• Body Wash with PH Neutral<br />
Shampoo<br />
• Alloy Wheel Clean<br />
• Wheel Arch Clean<br />
• Tyre Shine<br />
( Silicone / Non - Silicone)<br />
• Interior Vacuum<br />
• Dashboard & Console Clean<br />
• Exterior and Interior Windows<br />
Clean<br />
• Car Hand Polish<br />
• Engine Steam Clean<br />
Hatchback/ Sedan $170<br />
4WD/SUV/Vans $<strong>19</strong>0<br />
DuraSeal and 3D Car Care Coating<br />
(Price Varies per Car and Deals)<br />
• Silver<br />
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• 4wd Suv Prestige<br />
Prestige<br />
• High Pressure Hot Rinse<br />
• Body Wash with PH Neutral<br />
Shampoo<br />
• Alloy Wheel Clean<br />
• Wheel Arch Clean<br />
• Tyre Shine<br />
( Silicone / Non - Silicone)<br />
• Interior Vacuum<br />
• Dashboard & Console Clean<br />
• Exterior and Interior Windows<br />
Clean<br />
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• Vehicle Shampoo Carpets and<br />
Seats<br />
• Vehicle Machine Buffing<br />
•<br />
Hatchback/ Sedan $300<br />
4WD/SUV/Vans $350<br />
Prestige Car Care LTD<br />
Where every detail matters<br />
13B Michelle Road, Wigram, 8042<br />
(027 778 5786 Vai,<br />
0277758786 Sabi,<br />
022 352 8537 Barry,<br />
03 341 3786 Office)<br />
Prestigecarcareltd@gmail.com<br />
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Vehicles P.o.A<br />
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services<br />
Ceramic Coating Vehicle Options<br />
• Ceramic Leather Coating<br />
Interior $350 Onwards<br />
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Onwards<br />
• Ceramic Wheel and Caliper<br />
Coating $450 Onwards<br />
• Ceramic Commercial Trucks<br />
and Utes P.O.A<br />
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