Vitara revitalised

THE iconic SUV from the late '80s is back and it has a sibling. Or distant cousin, depending on your view of cars and consanguinity, if any.

The original Suzuki Vitara, launched in 1988, was an all-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle that had the rugged appeal of an affordable offroader. With lightweight body-on-frame construction and low range gears, it was adept at crawling over uneven terrain or bashing through tropical jungle.

But over the years, the Vitara's girth kept expanding until it morphed into the self-explanatory Grand Vitara, before completely disappearing a few years ago.