by Remi Blondet. Suzuki has launched in Japan its next generation Grand Vitara, which will replace the model first introduced in 1988.
Called the Escudo on the other side of the world, the new car was previewed as the Concept-X2 at the New York Auto Show earlier this year.
It features a unibody on a ladder-frame chassis and has a full-time four-wheel drive system with locking central differential. There's all-independent suspension around.
Engines in Japan are a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, capable 145 PS and 193 Nm or torque; and a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine with 184 PS and 250 Nm.
