In this instalment of Drive Time John Murdoch takes a look at changes being made to Suzuki’s popular Vitara model. They include styling tweaks, more standard equipment as well as hybrid efficiency improvements, new alloy wheels and two new body colours. John also reveals that some motorists are putting lives at risk because of their tyre ignorance.
Just a short time after revealing its all-new, battery-powered e Vitara, Suzuki has announced a mid-term makeover for the current Vitara hybrid, with styling tweaks and higher levels of standard equipment and technology as well as improved hybrid efficiency.
Exterior styling revisions include a redesigned front grille and bumper, a rear upper spoiler incorporating rear window side spoilers, new design 17-inch alloy wheels and two new body colours.
Suzuki claims fuel consumption improvements and reductions in CO2 emissions for both the 1.4 litre mild hybrid manual and 1.5 litre full hybrid auto versions both of which are available with the option of four-wheel-drive.
The latest model adopts the same Motion and Ultra trim grades as the S-Cross, Swace and Swift models and both come with higher levels of safety technology as standard including lane keep assist, intelligent speed control, a driver monitoring system and eCall.
There’s also an upgraded dual sensor brake support system using a millimetre-wave radar combined with a camera to provide enhanced collision mitigation with improved night-time and intersection visibility as well as detection of pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and vehicles in front.
Standard equipment levels for both grades have increased with the addition of a nine-inch media display, wireless smartphone link with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and start, high beam assist, auto-dim rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors plus Suzuki Connect connected services that includes three years free subscription.
Moving up to the Ultra grade increases standard specification even further with new design 17-inch polished alloy wheels, a panoramic sliding sunroof, suede / leather seat fabric, front and rear parking sensors, electric folding door mirrors with built-in indicators and an overhead storage console.
DANGER OF TYRE IGNORANCE
A significant number of motorists are putting lives at risk due to their lack of tyre safety knowledge according to a new study.
Among the key findings, released as part of Tyre Safety Month, was that fewer than a fifth of those surveyed check their tyre tread depth every month, which is the recommended frequency.
Just as worrying in the research commissioned by Anyline, is that over a third of drivers rely on a simple and subjective visual inspection of their tyres, rather than using a proper gauge, which only 29 per cent of drivers said they did.
Additionally, only 36 per cent knew the correct potential licence penalty for insufficient tread depth which is three points on their licence for each illegal tyre.
On a positive note, more than half (54 per cent) would check their tyres more frequently if they had a mobile app which could measure tread depth, an area which Anyline is spearheading with its AI-powered scanning technology.
Lukas Kinigadner, CEO and co-founder at Anyline, said: “Defective and worn tyres contribute to too many unnecessary injuries and deaths.
“We believe that many of those casualties could be avoided if drivers knew more about their tyres and had the right tools and technology to make informed decisions themselves.
“That’s why it was important for Anyline to partner with TyreSafe on this project to better understand what drivers really know about tyre maintenance and where education and technology can be applied in the future to make our roads safer.”
The issue of tyre safety was recently underlined in the Department for Transport’s latest Reported Road Casualties Great Britain annual report for 2023, which showed a 29 per cent year-on-year increase in killed or seriously injured casualties linked to tyre related incidents.
Meanwhile, another key finding from the research was that misconceptions about fines also persist, with many believing the penalty is lower than the actual potential £2,500.
Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, said: “This new research provides crucial insights into UK drivers’ understanding and practices around tyre safety.
“It is a critical resource for those looking to enhance road safety by addressing gaps in tyre maintenance practices among UK drivers, which it would appear needs even greater attention.”
With computer vision and AI-enabled technology, Anyline’s mobile scanning solutions allows tyre service centres, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to capture tyre, automotive and customer information from any mobile device, helping customers make informed vehicle maintenance decisions.
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