Grand Vitara Chosen for Another Prestigious Award
24 December 1999
Grand Vitara Chosen for Another Prestigious Award; Accolades Keep Coming for Suzuki SUV
BREA, Calif--Dec. 23, 1999--Citing power, performance and comfortable ride, the staff of Sports Truck Connection has awarded the Suzuki Grand Vitara with its Annual Light Truck and SUV Award (ALTAS Award) for Favorite Mini-SUV in its Class."Our choices aren't based on a fling at a race track, or a quick drive around the block. We live with these vehicles on a normal basis and put lots of miles on them, doing the things most people plan to be doing with their own trucks," said Jon Apogee, co-host of Sport Truck Connection. "That's why we think the ALTAS Awards represent the best vehicles under real world conditions."
After testing the small-SUV market for everyday consumer use, Sports Truck Connection chose the Suzuki Grand Vitara as favorite in class. Each year, after testing a wide variety of trucks and SUVs, Sport Truck Connection presents five ALTAS awards for favorite in class in the mini-SUV, compact SUV, full-size SUV, compact pickup and full-size pickup categories.
"This is another great honor for the Grand Vitara and Suzuki. Sport Truck Connection's selection of the Grand Vitara as their choice of favorite small-SUV is another independent validation that we produce a tough, great riding, well-appointed SUV -- perfect for cruising the city streets or off-roading," said Gary Anderson, vice president of sales and marketing for American Suzuki Motor Corp.
"Once again, the Suzuki Grand Vitara continues to impress journalists and lead the class by being the first to introduce a V6 engine and shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive in a small, four-door SUV."
Sport Truck Connection, an internationally syndicated television show seen in more than 50 million homes, airs weekly on 150 broadcast stations in 100 markets, as well as the FOX Sports cable network and Armed Forces Radio & Television Network.
The class-leading Grand Vitara comes equipped with a 155 hp, 2.5-liter, DOHC, V6 engine, and the choice of either two-wheel or shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive, both built into a sturdy body-on-frame platform.
Standard exterior features include tinted glass, daytime running lights, sport styled wheels, a full-sized spare tire with soft cover, steel belted radial P235/60-R16 tires, roof rails and keyless remote.
Interior refinements include power windows, mirrors and door locks, front driver and passenger airbags, tilt wheel, rear door child safety locks, cruise control, air conditioning with micron air filtration and AM/FM cassette stereo.
New for 2000, the Grand Vitara Limited Edition adds four-wheel anti-lock brakes to the Grand Vitara's already impressive list of features. Exterior styling cues on the Limited Edition include gold badging, alloy wheels with gold trim, tinted rear privacy glass, roof rails, fog lamps, a hard spare tire cover and upscale black or white paint scheme.
Interior enhancements include a special driver's arm rest, leather seats and AM/FM cassette stereo with a six-disc CD changer.
The Automotive Division of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), Brea, was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corp. (SMC). ASMC markets automobiles in the United States through a network of more than 340 automotive dealerships in 49 states.
ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp., based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer. Incorporated in 1920, SMC has 134 distributors selling vehicles in 175 countries.