Category Archives: Vehicle type

SUV/4X4, Suzuki

Vitara has lasting appeal

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Suzuki Vitara Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

It could be argued that the Vitara is a bit of an everyman car, with broad appeal ticking virtually all the boxes. It is a stylish looking compact SUV that attracted attention, especially in its two-tone livery, is powered by Suzuki’s latest Boosterject/hybrid combination, is hugely practical with various boot space combinations and is more than capable off-road.

Add to that an attractive price tag and you can see the appeal.

While Suzuki has now linked up with Toyota to share models and technology, the Vitara remains a mainstay of the Suzuki brand.

It’s a tough segment to operate in, but Suzuki is keeping pace with technology and during its 50th anniversary year in 2020 the Vitara received an even higher specification with 48V Hybrid technology, while at the same time the latest ALLGRIP ‘Select’ four-wheel drive became available as optional equipment on SZ-T and SZ5 models, again marking 50 years of Suzuki 4×4 technology.

The firm is proud of the design with tapering roofline with silver roof rails, the familiar clamshell bonnet raked windscreen and distinctive chrome grille, chrome lower bumper, smart headlight clusters and LED daytime lamps. To the rear it features smart wraparound clusters with LED display and privacy glass.

The contrasting black roof, door mirrors and wheel arch guards give it a particularly eye-catching appeal. 

The interior is smart and airy, with solid and robust switchgear. The centrepiece, touchscreen, although looking slightly dated now, controls a number of major functions including infotainment and navigation and connectivity via smartphones.

There’s also bags of headroom and legroom is good, while the seats are comfortable and fully adjustable and the commanding driving position is a bonus.

The single-choice powerful turbocharged 1.4-litre Boosterjet engine, mated to the auto gearbox, delivers pace and economy. It is quick off the mark, hitting 60mph in just over 10 seconds.

Pretty impressive for a four-wheel drive car. The engine set is paired with Suzuki’s lightweight Integrated Starter Generator, or ISG, 48v lithium-ion battery and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter. These drive some low power components and adds an extra boost to acceleration.

The ISG is charged by the battery which is in turn re-charged as the car brakes and decelerates.

The base model includes seven airbags, assisted braking; collision avoidance system, alloy wheels, LED projector headlamps for low and high beam, DAB Radio with CD, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, auto air conditioning and front and auto headlights and wipers.

The SZ-T model driven here adds 17-inch alloy wheels, white stitching for seat trim fabric, Smartphone link audio and navigation system, keyless entry with start button and panoramic sunroof.

Practicality and versatility are key with this kind of vehicle and it offers bags of stowage space. With the rear seats in place, there are 375 litres of space available increasing to 1,730 with the rear seats folded. There is also a hidden compartment space under the boot floor cover.

Handling is decent with little evidence of wallow when cornering and the ride is comfortable enough.

The car is also packed with safety kit to deliver a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Equipment includes seven airbags, lane departure warning and lane departure prevention; blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.

There is plenty of competition out there in this segment, but the Vitara remains an impressive performer.

Factfile

Suzuki Vitara 1.4 SZ-T Hybrid

Price: £28,399

Mechanical: 129ps, 1,373cc, 4cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 118mph

0-62mph: 10.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 45.2

Insurance group: 23

CO2 emissions: 142g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 mile

electric, Family hatchback, Volkswagen

A new chapter for electric VW

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Volkswagen ID.3

By Bill McCarthy

VOLKSWAGEN has high hopes for the stylish ID.3. A slightly odd name for a car VW hopes will emulate the iconic Beetle and Golf, to become a third major chapter in the history of Volkswagen. No pressure then.

It is their first purpose-built electric model and built on their new modular platform, the MEB, on which, by 2029, VW hopes to sell around 26 million electric vehicles.

Again, no pressure. So it’s new but it’s very much a VW, with eye-catching styling and, well, just being a VW. Electric cars are no longer immediately distinguishable from their combustion engined siblings and, unsurprisingly, this does have the look of a Golf, but is rear wheel drive with the motor and gearbox situated at the rear axle. Think of the original Beetle.

It looks stylish with swooping, coupe-like lines and a smart but slightly minimalist interior which now uses a combination of touch controls and voice commands for the majority of functions. The car also features clever light animations that respond to voice commands.

The MEB platform, says VW, allows different-sized batteries and offers a similar footprint to the Golf, but interior space comparable to a Passat. Clever, or what?

Like all electric cars, it offers swift acceleration from a standing start and choice of three batteries of Pure, Pro and Pro S specification. Trim levels include Life, Style, Family, Max and Tour. They are 45, 58 and 77 kWh power units and the claimed range for each is 216, 264 and a whopping 340 miles, all but negating range anxiety that has been prevalent with electric cars.

Prices are now ever more competitive with the first ID.3 available in the UK for under £30,000 (including the plug-in vehicle grant).

This model was the range-topping Tour with the 77kWh battery and mega range.

All are well equipped and this model included goodies like heated seats with integrated armrest and height adjustment, heated steering wheel, interior ambient light with a choice of 30 colours and split folding rear seats with headrests plus the usual array of electric and electronic driver aids.

It looks the part with exclusive efficient alloys, dominant LED matrix headlights, daytime running lights and contrasting black roof and hatchback which features a small spoiler.

The interior is impressively roomy, with large glass areas and little instrument clutter. The gear selector, a rocker switch, is just behind the steering wheel, and the lack of a handbrake lever means there is plenty of space between the front seats. It proved a boon when I had to climb across from the passenger seat when someone had parked too close to the driver’s door.

 A bit like the Tesla, a central console dominates and handles major functions, like connectivity  and navigation and is aided by the Hello ID intelligent voice control which can handle infotainment and climate control.

There is another five-inch display behind the steering wheel which gives immediate driver information. In addition strip light which runs beneath the windscreen flashes up different colours and responds to voice inputs.

On the road it is a versatile car, a composed motorway cruiser, and, with its low centre of gravity a fun car to drive with plenty of grip on offer when accelerating into corners. It is quick off the mark, hitting 60mph in just over seven seconds.

As a compact family car it needs to be comfortable and the suspension offers a composed and comfortable ride. Pottering around town the car is simplicity itself, with nicely weighted steering which gives a good turning circle for easy parking.

You can select two drive modes, D for normal and the energy recovering B mode, which allows the car to slow down while regenerating energy at the same time, improving the  greater range.

As a family hatchback it must be practical and offers decent boot space of 385 opening up to 1,267 litres with the seats down. And plenty of other cubbies and storage spaces available for nick racks.

VWs are packed with safety kit and the ID.3 the full range of airbags, traction and stability control and assisted braking, together with a range of traffic and pedestrian warnings.

Factfile

Volkswagen ID.3 Tour 77kWh Pro S 204PS

Price: £38,815

Mechanical: 207bhp/150kWh, electric motor driving rear wheels via CVT transmission

Max Speed: 99mph

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Range: 340 miles (WTLP)

Insurance Group: 30E

C02 emissions: 0/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles