Customers opting for a diesel powered Suzuki Grand Vitara have until now been restricted in their choice to the larger five-door bodystyle, but a new three-door model may join the range.

Unlike its petrol-engined three-door sibling, which is essentially a ???soft roader??™, the new 1.9 DDiS Grand Vitara adopts the drivetrain of the manual transmission five-door models and supplements permanent four-wheel drive with a centre differential lock and a low range to ensure serious and outstanding off road capability. It can therefore tackle tough, muddy, off-road conditions with ease, while the system??™s four different modes are easily selected via a dash-mounted rotary switch.

Power output from the Renault-supplied intercooled and turbocharged engine is 129 PS, and a hefty 221lb ft (300Nm) of torque peaking at 2,000rpm delivers reassuring ability in both on and off-road driving situations. Such output doesn??™t penalise fuel economy either, and the 1.9 DDiS 3 door Grand Vitara achieves 38.2mpg on the combined cycle, while carbon dioxide emissions are 195g/km.

In line with other Grand Vitara models, equipment levels are generous. In addition, thanks to a unique lightweight monocoque body combined with a stiff, built-in ladder frame, rigidity matches the most traditional of off roaders. In contrast to the five-door model??™s understated elegance, the three-door with its ???crouched??™ muscular form projects a more sporty persona. A relatively long wheelbase has permitted a roomy cabin with front and rear legroom comparable to that of models from a higher segment. More about this one later.

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