Johannesburg - Suzuki SA has zhoozhed-up the Summit version of its Grand Vitara compact SUV - and there really is no other word for this purely cosmetic upgrade.
It starts with the grille, now finished in dark silver to match the new, dark-silver finished alloy rims and the silver-finished roof-rails; there's also a new metallic silver paint option, specially toned to match these changes.
Inside, there's new, more luxurious fabric upholstery - with suede-enhanced bolsters - on the seats, cloth-accented trim with prominent stitching on the door panels and nd gold-coloured trim accents on the steering wheel, instrument and side vent bezels and gear knob.
The Grand Vitara Summit remains mechanically unchanged, with a 2.4-litre petrol four rated for 122kW at 600 revs and 225Nm at 400 driving all four wheels through either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission and low-range transfer 'box.
Sadly, as these things must be, the Vitara's makeover is linked to a price increase for the Swift and Vitara ranges that Suzuki SA says would have had to come anyway, but has been held to about two percent; the Summit with manual gearbox has gone up from R380 900 to R387 900, while the self-shifter, which was R395 900, is now R403 900.
NEW GRAND VITARA PRICES
2.4i Dune - R319 900
2.4i Dune AT - R334 900
2.4i Summit - R387 900
2.4i Summit AT - R403 900
All Vitaras are covered by a three-year or 100 000km warranty, while a six-year or 90 000km service plan is standard.