Suzuki has released a pair of teaser images for a new SUV concept dubbed iV-4, bound for September's Frankfurt Motor Show.
At first glance, the concept's styling suggests a preview of the long-overdue Grand Vitara replacement, booting out the current three-door model.
After all, Suzuki could take a leaf from the Hyundai Santa Fe's design-book by offering a short five-door Grand Vitara with five seats, followed later by a larger version.
Details on the iV-4 concept are vague, however Suzuki has at least confirmed it will be a compact SUV, rather than a new midsizer. So where does that fit into the Suzuki line-up?
If it's not the next Vitara, if it's smaller... how does the iV-4 work alongside the new SX4, unveiled earlier this year?
The new SX4 measures 4310mm long, making it 160mm longer than the outgoing SX4, and 160mm shorter than the 5-door Grand Vitara. The wheelbase has also grown from 2500 to 2600mm.
At 4150mm, the outgoing SX4 was already longer than the three-door Vitara, but the new model is now a whopping 305mm longer than the three-door Vitara, with a 60mm longer wheelbase.
All of this brings us back to the three-door Grand Vitara: the current model is shorter than the SX4 in almost every direction but height, and we could see that repeated with the iV-4.
A new Grand Vitara cannot be far away, and recent reports suggest a late 2014 production debut is planned.
With that sort of timing, it's no stretch to imagine the iV-4 as a new Vitara. But, for now, we can only speculate.
And, of course, there's always the Jimny. This concept looks a good deal larger, but that's no reason for it to not be a next-generation replacement for the giant-slaying Jimny.
On the styling front, Suzuki says the iV-4 will feature a handful of familiar Suzuki cues, including the five-slot grille and clamshell bonnet visible here.
Watch for the iV-4 to make its Frankfurt debut in September.
At first glance, the concept's styling suggests a preview of the long-overdue Grand Vitara replacement, booting out the current three-door model.
After all, Suzuki could take a leaf from the Hyundai Santa Fe's design-book by offering a short five-door Grand Vitara with five seats, followed later by a larger version.
Details on the iV-4 concept are vague, however Suzuki has at least confirmed it will be a compact SUV, rather than a new midsizer. So where does that fit into the Suzuki line-up?
If it's not the next Vitara, if it's smaller... how does the iV-4 work alongside the new SX4, unveiled earlier this year?
The new SX4 measures 4310mm long, making it 160mm longer than the outgoing SX4, and 160mm shorter than the 5-door Grand Vitara. The wheelbase has also grown from 2500 to 2600mm.
At 4150mm, the outgoing SX4 was already longer than the three-door Vitara, but the new model is now a whopping 305mm longer than the three-door Vitara, with a 60mm longer wheelbase.
All of this brings us back to the three-door Grand Vitara: the current model is shorter than the SX4 in almost every direction but height, and we could see that repeated with the iV-4.
A new Grand Vitara cannot be far away, and recent reports suggest a late 2014 production debut is planned.
With that sort of timing, it's no stretch to imagine the iV-4 as a new Vitara. But, for now, we can only speculate.
And, of course, there's always the Jimny. This concept looks a good deal larger, but that's no reason for it to not be a next-generation replacement for the giant-slaying Jimny.
On the styling front, Suzuki says the iV-4 will feature a handful of familiar Suzuki cues, including the five-slot grille and clamshell bonnet visible here.
Watch for the iV-4 to make its Frankfurt debut in September.
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