Maruti Suzuki to rev up the Grand Vitara with ADAS for safer, smarter driving. Learn about their plans and the tech behind it
In the ever-evolving world of automobiles, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Staying true to this philosophy, Maruti Suzuki is planning to upgrade its flagship SUV, the Grand Vitara. The Indo-Japanese automaker is gearing up to introduce the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to its Grand Vitara, setting the wheels of innovation in motion.
According to sources, the company plans to unleash the ADAS-equipped Grand Vitara onto the streets by the first quarter of the next financial year. The upgrade comes at a cost, with expectations of it being priced between Rs 50,000 to 75,000 more than the top-end trims of the Smart Hybrid and Strong Hybrid variants. But when it comes to safety and convenience, what’s a little extra cash, right?
So, what exactly is ADAS? It’s a nifty suite of electronic wizardry that helps prevent accidents and crashes, thus keeping the occupants safe. The Grand Vitara, with its level 2 ADAS system, will be able to take control of the steering, acceleration, and braking if it senses the possibility of an accident, offering autonomous obstacle avoidance. Think of it as your trusty co-pilot in the form of AI and sensors.
Others in the industry, like Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, etc., have already dabbled in level 2 ADAS. Although Maruti Suzuki is playing catch up here, it is keen on making the technology accessible to the masses. Maruti’s sales and aftersales network is the biggest in the country, and it holds the largest share of the market. The introduction of active safety technology in its cars would be great for Indian consumers.
The Grand Vitara will be produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), Maruti Suzuki’s strategic partner. This collaboration is all part of Suzuki’s grand plan to make the Grand Vitara a heavyweight contender against the likes of Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, and the upcoming facelifted Creta. Of course, Toyota will also add ADAS to its own Urban Cruiser Hyryder, which shares platform, powertrain, and other technology with the Grand Vitara.
Initially, Maruti had planned to roll out the ADAS upgrade for its SUV this year, but it was unable to do so. The semiconductor shortage continues to plague TKM, whose global suppliers were unable to supply the required components. However, the company is sorting the problems out and streamlining supply chains to ensure that production runs smoothly. Orders for the necessary components – sensors, radars, cameras, etc. – have reportedly been placed as well.