Pic: 06 Grand Vitara 2-door

[ifcar]

[mazda6er]

I'm loving the Equinox taillights they've got on that thing. Is this just a rebadge with a modified body?

[BMWDave]

It looks ok, but I dont like the taillights used on the car.

[mazda6er]

This 2-door SUV strategy seems pretty bold. There are currently no two-door SUVs on the market and there's a reason for that.

[ifcar]

There's still the Wrangler. And I believe 2-door SUVs are still available in other parts of the world.

[mazda6er]

There's still the Wrangler. And I believe 2-door SUVs are still available in other parts of the world.

Yeah, I forgot about the Wrangler, and actually the Freelander might still have a two-door version also, but those are aimed at a different demographic than the GV. Actually the Blazer is also a 2-door, so again I don't know what I'm talking about. But still, two doors in larger SUVs don't sell well, especially if there is a 4-door variant. (as in the case of the Explorer.)

[ifcar]

The Explorer 2-door was discontinued awhile ago, the Freelander 2-door didn't see 05, and the Blazer either expired for 05 or 06.  

[mazda6er]

The Explorer 2-door was discontinued awhile ago, the Freelander 2-door didn't see 05, and the Blazer either expired for 05 or 06.

I knew the Explorer left, that was why I mentioned it (meaning the two-door did not sell well enough to even justify continued production). As for the Freelander, I said I wasn't sure and I'd be positive that a Blazer exists, at least for '05.

[BMWDave]

Heres a bigger picture:

[BMWDave]

[BMWDave]

[ifcar]

I'm trying to think where I've seen that interior before.  

[BMWDave]

I'm trying to think where I've seen that interior before.

Similar to a Kia Sorento?

[ifcar]

I'm trying to think where I've seen that interior before.

Maybe I'm thinking:

[Run Away]

I have to say, that looks really good.

[Raghavan]

This thing is a true 4x4 right?

[Run Away]

I don't see why I wouldn't be, the Vitara, Sidekick, and Samurai all were body on frame SUVs with low range transfer cases.
But if it's based on the Equinox I don't know.

[Raghavan]

I don't see why I wouldn't be, the Vitara, Sidekick, and Samurai all were body on frame SUVs with low range transfer cases.
But if it's based on the Equinox I don't know.

i'm pretty sure it's not based on the Equinox.

[TBR]

I don't see why I wouldn't be, the Vitara, Sidekick, and Samurai all were body on frame SUVs with low range transfer cases.
But if it's based on the Equinox I don't know.

i'm pretty sure it's not based on the Equinox.

You're wrong (I love saying that ):
Suzuki has taken the wraps off the next Japanese market Escudo SUV and gives us a preview of the 2006 Grand Vitara at the same time. There?s no mistaking the resemblance to the Suzuki Concept X2 that debuted at the NY auto show and the GM DNA from the Equinox/VUE. The Suzuki will use their own 4x4 system and 181 horsepower V-6 instead of dipping into GM?s bins. While the look is anything but revolutionary, Suzuki will finally bring their SUV line into the 21st century.
from: http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000880043603/

[93JC]

I don't see why I wouldn't be, the Vitara, Sidekick, and Samurai all were body on frame SUVs with low range transfer cases.
But if it's based on the Equinox I don't know.

i'm pretty sure it's not based on the Equinox.

You're wrong (I love saying that ):
Suzuki has taken the wraps off the next Japanese market Escudo SUV and gives us a preview of the 2006 Grand Vitara at the same time. There?s no mistaking the resemblance to the Suzuki Concept X2 that debuted at the NY auto show and the GM DNA from the Equinox/VUE. The Suzuki will use their own 4x4 system and 181 horsepower V-6 instead of dipping into GM?s bins. While the look is anything but revolutionary, Suzuki will finally bring their SUV line into the 21st century.
from: http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000880043603/

Actually, you're wrong: this new Grand Vitara shares nothing with the Equinox and Vue. The chassis, the body, the powertrain... None of it is shared with anything else from GM.


The next XL-7 will be based directly off of the Equinox though. Except Suzuki plans on ripping out the old pushrod 3.4L V6 and replacing it with the GM 3.6L DOHC VVT V6.

[Raghavan]

I don't see why I wouldn't be, the Vitara, Sidekick, and Samurai all were body on frame SUVs with low range transfer cases.
But if it's based on the Equinox I don't know.

i'm pretty sure it's not based on the Equinox.

You're wrong (I love saying that ):
Suzuki has taken the wraps off the next Japanese market Escudo SUV and gives us a preview of the 2006 Grand Vitara at the same time. There?s no mistaking the resemblance to the Suzuki Concept X2 that debuted at the NY auto show and the GM DNA from the Equinox/VUE. The Suzuki will use their own 4x4 system and 181 horsepower V-6 instead of dipping into GM?s bins. While the look is anything but revolutionary, Suzuki will finally bring their SUV line into the 21st century.
from: http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000880043603/

Actually, you're wrong: this new Grand Vitara shares nothing with the Equinox and Vue. The chassis, the body, the powertrain... None of it is shared with anything else from GM.


The next XL-7 will be based directly off of the Equinox though. Except Suzuki plans on ripping out the old pushrod 3.4L V6 and replacing it with the GM 3.6L DOHC VVT V6.

HA! Take that Tim!  

[ifcar]

We have two conflicting sources: "AutoBlog" and 93JC. Which will prove superior?  

[TBR]

I don't see why I wouldn't be, the Vitara, Sidekick, and Samurai all were body on frame SUVs with low range transfer cases.
But if it's based on the Equinox I don't know.

i'm pretty sure it's not based on the Equinox.

You're wrong (I love saying that ):
Suzuki has taken the wraps off the next Japanese market Escudo SUV and gives us a preview of the 2006 Grand Vitara at the same time. There?s no mistaking the resemblance to the Suzuki Concept X2 that debuted at the NY auto show and the GM DNA from the Equinox/VUE. The Suzuki will use their own 4x4 system and 181 horsepower V-6 instead of dipping into GM?s bins. While the look is anything but revolutionary, Suzuki will finally bring their SUV line into the 21st century.
from: http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000880043603/

Actually, you're wrong: this new Grand Vitara shares nothing with the Equinox and Vue. The chassis, the body, the powertrain... None of it is shared with anything else from GM.


The next XL-7 will be based directly off of the Equinox though. Except Suzuki plans on ripping out the old pushrod 3.4L V6 and replacing it with the GM 3.6L DOHC VVT V6.

Maybe you're right, but for now I am going with autoblog.

[93JC]

We have two conflicting sources: "AutoBlog" and 93JC. Which will prove superior?

Me, of course. You should know by now that what I have to say is gospel.

Amusingly, an astute autoblog reader gave everyone the heads up on the very same page: http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000880043603/#c251441

Crikey, we had this discussion earlier: http://forums.carspin.net/index.php?showtopic=461

[Raghavan]

In the C/D preview, the specs sheet says that it's a rear/4wd vehicle. That means it's not based on the Equinox, as that's FWD/AWD, with a transversely mounted engine. Teh Suzuki's based on a truck f rame.