A year after making its return as a hybrid crossover, Suzuki’s Grand Vitara nameplate is reportedly bound for its ASEAN premiere at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2023 in February.
The vehicle's silhouette along with the not-so-subtle tagline hints at the 2023 Suzuki Grand Vitara's ASEAN debut
The automaker did not explicitly identify the model when it released a teaser image, but the tagline “Guess Who’s Back?” accompanied by the familiar silhouette should tell Suzuki fans all they need to know.
In case that’s not solid enough proof, the news follows reports that Maruti Suzuki of India (where the midsize crossover is sourced) has begun exporting the Grand Vitara to overseas markets including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
At the time of launch, the new Grand Vitara was offered exclusively with an electrified powertrain. Indian customers get a Suzuki mild-hybrid powertrain as standard, comprising a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a 12-volt integrated starter generator (ISG) good for 102 horsepower and 137 Nm of torque.
India-spec Grand Vitara units can be controlled using the Suzuki Connect smartphone app
Another option is a Toyota-sourced 1.5-liter gasoline power unit working in tandem with an AC synchronous motor, yielding a total output of 116 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. Transmission options span a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and e-Drive CVT. Meanwhile, Suzuki’s AllGrip all-wheel drivetrain is exclusive to the Alpha trim, and only for the manual gearbox.
“Supporting the Government of India’s exports to increase exports from India, Maruti Suzuki has taken multiple initiatives to increase its international presence,” said Hisashi Takeuchi, Maruti Suzuki Managing Director & CEO. “By adding the Grand Vitara, we now export a range of 17 vehicles…and we are confident that the India-manufactured Grand Vitara will meet with similar success in overseas markets also.”
Hopefully Suzuki Philippines eventually decides to bring it here
In India, the Grand Vitara is offered in six trim levels, from the entry level Sigma to the top-spec Alpha Plus. While this will likely be trimmed down for the Indonesian market, there’s no word on whether the Grand Vitara will eventually be assembled in ASEAN or if it will remain an Indian import.
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