Grand Vitara 2009

[Lucky1]

I Just read an article about some changes planned for the 2009 GV.
Apparently, the current V6 2.7L engine will not be available anymore. A 2.4L four cylinder would be introduced and a more powerfull V6 will be offered to better compete with other SUV's.
Some minor cosmetic changes are also planned.
Hope we can get some pictures soon.

[themeat424]

yea I heard about that too, though I didn't hear about the optional V6 and a standard 4. All I heard about was a small face lift for 09.
Why wont they just keep the 2.7L V6 as a standard feature and have the XL7's V6 as an option? If they would put the XL7's V6 in the GV, people would be pouring in for test drives, and it would knock out all the competition, even the rav4's 268hp V6. Because in such a case no small SUV on the market would offer that much power and off roading/all weather capability with its true 4x4 system, then such a GV.

[Metatrox]

I've always thought the same thing. Drop the V6 in fromt he new XL7 and I would have been VERY happy with my GV.

[charlesk]

Originally Posted by Metatrox

I've always thought the same thing. Drop the V6 in fromt he new XL7 and I would have been VERY happy with my GV.

You'll be happy - there's an article in our local paper stating that in the middle of this year the V6 will be the 3.2 litre unit.

In Australia we'll also be getting the diesel. Doesn't seem to be any more efficient that the 2 litre petrol unit, though, but with lots more torque.

More info here:

Diesel Vitara kind to the planet | The Courier-Mail

[gt601]

I wish that they would offer more cars here in the US with oil burners beside the VW and Mercedes cars. That would be a treat.

Paul

[joestoy]

The new XL-7 is a GM Product, same as the Chevy Equinox. I would not want a GM engine in my GV.

[basspaul]

the XL7 has an all-Suzuki powertrain....

[gt601]

Does the Chevy have a Suzuki powertrain??

Paul

[JimD]

I got a promotional magazine from Suzuki on the XL7. It stated that the design of the 3.6L was by GM but the engines in the XL7 are manufactured in Japan by Suzuki at the same plant that makes all Suzuki engines (including the 2.7L). It is the same design engine that GM uses in the Cadallac CTS. The Equinox (and the Torrent and whatever the Buick is) get a much older design push rod V6 (I think it's a decent engine but is not very high tech).

I doubt that the 3.6L would get the same mileage in the GV as it gets in the XL7. There is an effiency loss for rear wheel drive (or an advantage to front wheel drive). Maybe it would be better because the GV is lighter but I tend to think lower mileage due to rear wheel drive and probably worse aerodynamics. Maybe better in town and worse on the highway. More power would be nice sometimes but I think the 2.7L is OK, much stronger than my Sidekick (which had the big engine for 1997, a 1.8L). I like the fact that it will pull from 1,000rpm.

Jim

[gt601]

I would say that a slightly larger engine may get better mileage because it's not straining as much as the 2.7 liter engine. I get better mileage in my 3.0 liter Alfa than I get in my 2.0 Alfa and the GV. The 3.0 is not AWD and weighs less but I'm always in the throttle running it to the redline of 7600 rpm
Still gets better mileage??

Paul