The new Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV will arrive in early autumn
MONSTER Mountain is a vast facility that looks every inch as dramatic as it sounds.
Created over 94 acres from the residue of a disused opencast coal mine in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, it is a haven for adrenaline-fueled scrambling junkies and home to five highly challenging motocross tracks.
It is also a perfect testing ground for all-wheel drive vehicles and a venue quickly identified by 4×4 technology specialist Suzuki as being ideal to celebrate a special occasion in its 4WD heritage – as well as a glimpse into the near future.
Suzuki’s four-wheel drive journey began 55 years ago with a model known as the LJ10, a compact three-seater initially tested in the volcanic sands of Mount Fuji and powered by a 360cc engine developing a mere 25bhp.
Since then the Japanese brand’s expertise in this field has consistently evolved into the system now known as ALLGRIP, the latest iteration of which will be available in the much-awaited first fully electric model from Suzuki, the e Vitara.
A 2004 vintage Suzuki Grand Vitara ready for action on Monster Mountain
With the order book now open, and first customer deliveries due in October, the e Vitara will cost from a tempting £29,999 for the 49kWh battery model with front-wheel drive and entry grade Motion trim.
At the upper end of the line-up is the 61kWh capacity variant with ALLGRIP e and comprehensively specced Ultra trim for £37,799.
This model features independent motors at the front and rear and not only provides strong performance but also includes a Trail mode for getting through rough terrain.
Suzuki remains one of only a handful of brands offering 4×4 as an option for their electric SUVs and says ALLGRIP e has been developed specifically for the new e Vitara.
It will be available from launch with zero per cent PCP and anyone placing an order before the end of September will receive a free Ohme charger along with 10,000 miles of home charging credit.
The Grand Vitara takes to the track at Merthyr Tydfil
Meanwhile back at Monster Mountain we put a 2004 automatic version of the Grand Vitara through its paces on two separate bespoke off-road trails laid out for the event, labelled 55 in 25 by Suzuki to mark a 4×4 journey that started back in 1970.
The original Vitara was the culmination of the company’s vision of a four-wheel drive vehicle that could negotiate forest trails, mud and rocks, enabling people to access places they had never previously been able to reach on four wheels.
The Grand Vitara, launched in 1998, had a bigger, more imposing, stance and significantly looked far more like a genuine cross country off-road vehicle.
At the same time, and mindful of the need for an SUV suited to city conditions, it also provided better on-road performance, had a more rigid suspension and changed to rack-and-pinion steering for better handling and stability during fast cornering.
Perfectly at home in the loose, dusty conditions the ‘Grand’ made light of the steep angles and ploughed like a rampaging rhino through a deep, claggy watercourse. It demonstrated that pre-ALLGRIP the 4×4 system was still hugely effective.
The Suzuki Jimny all set for some off-road gymnastics
At the opposite end of the Suzuki spectrum, the Swift 4×4 supermini with 1.2-litre petrol engine and ALLGRIP AUTO is just 65kg heavier than an equivalent 2WD petrol model and costs only £1,000 more on the latest Swift Hybrid.
The permanent all-wheel drive set-up enabled us to drive the new Swift with confidence even on the more demanding of the two test tracks – and it sluiced effortlessly through the rocky water feature.
And the latest, fourth generation, compact SUV that Suzuki calls a tool for professionals, the Jimny, demonstrated perfectly why small can also be tough as old boots.
With a part-time 4WD system with low range transfer gear, robust ladder frame and 3-link rigid axle suspension – all key essentials for serious off-roading – the Jimny proved an absolute hoot.
No surprise then that the Jimny model series has achieved more than three million sales worldwide and been sold in 194 countries and regions for 55 years – just a shame it’s no longer sold in the UK.
The Suzuki Jimny takes a break from Monster Mountain
