Suzuki Vitara crossover

Suzuki has announced it will travel to this October’s Paris Motor Show to introduce the all-new Vitara crossover.

Visually, the Vitara is essentially a toned-down version of the iV-4 concept that was presented at last year’s edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although the final product looks noticeably less rugged than the show car, key elements like the angular headlights and the overall silhouette have made the jump from concept to production.

Pictures of the Vitara’s cockpit were not published. However, Suzuki promises that buyers will be able to customize many aspects of the interior by picking from a full catalog of trim and upholstery options. Several alloy wheel designs and eye-catching paint colors will also be available.

Mechanically, the Vitara will be offered with gasoline- and diesel-burning four-cylinder engines sourced from the Suzuki parts bin. Front-wheel drive will come standard, and Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-wheel drive system will be available on select models at an extra cost. Most models will come with a manual transmission.

Suzuki is keeping further details about the Vitara under wraps until it is presented to the show-going public in Paris. The crossover will begin arriving in showrooms before the end of the year.

When it lands on the Old Continent, the Suzuki Vitara will fight in the hotly-contested compact crossover segment against rivals like the Opel Mokka (essentially a re-badged Buick Encore), the Renault Captur and Nissan’s ever-popular Juke.