Whatshot
Road Tripping In The Suzuki Grand Vitara
Road Tripping In The Suzuki Grand Vitara
Date: 2023-07-31
I felt invincible, the bags were packed,the cavernous interior of the top of the range - brand new - Suzuki Grand Vitara GLX, complete with Suzuki's Smart Hybrid Vehicle System, just swallowed up everything we needed to take to Cape Town.
Atone moment I looked at all the stuff Kasia wanted to take with and I thought I would have to fold the seats down to get it all in, but they don't call it Grand for nothing.
4AM was decided as the departure time, ratifications about traffic and congestion and the tradition of setting off on a long journey with an early start, had me bright eyed and looking through the heads-up display at the moonlit road to Cape Town ahead. I really enjoyed the heads up display and reflected on how much less I would take my eyes off the road because of it.
It was dark, we weren't concentrating and as it happens, we missed the turnoff tot he N2 and headed onto the road a little less travelled. We didn't panic, we carried on going, the moonlight flooded through the panoramic sunroof and the six speed automatic gearbox gave me more power than I needed to traverse those rolling hills of what was once the Transkei. And the switchable all-wheel drive took care of all the terrain challenges. The drive mode selector offered Sport mode, Mud Snow, Lock and Auto, the intelligent choice.
It was winter, almost the solstice, the sun was rising at the same time that moon was setting. The interior of the Grand Vitara was golden, our favourite tunes were reverberating around the cabin, both cup holders had an offering, the crinkle of junk food wrappings, while the K15C petrol engine just got on with the job. Its 'mild hybrid electric power system used its power output of 75.8kW at 6 000 rpm and 136.8 Nm at 4 400 rpm to just gobble up those long straight kilometres, while keeping those fuel consumption figures delightfully low.
InCape Town it was time for the paddle shift levers and Sport Mode. Time to engage the electronic stability control (ESP) and ABS brakes with EmergencyBrake Assist (EBA) around those sharp mountain passes. Hill Hold Assist (HHA)came to the rescue going up Signal Hill and the rear parking sensors saved us panel beater bills in Camps Bay.
The Grand Vitara turned heads and corners as we looked the part with tinted windows, accentuated wheel arches and glinting mag wheels. It is the perfect vehicle for a road trip, or to raise a family, run a business and live life.
For more information and a chance to test drive the Suzuki Grand Vitara,contact Nathi at CMH Suzuki Ballito on 078 772 7968