Hybrid Suzuki Vitara - no Automatic available

50Twuncle

I was looking at a new Vitara Hybrid - but they no longer offer AUTOMATIC models - I am trying to figure out why.....

The Vitara was previously available as a "torque convertor"" 6 speed SZ5 and was an extremely good gearbox .....

Stubod

I think Suzuki have recently been subtly changing their models around? ! was after and AllGrip 1.4 Auto but try as I might I could not "configure" one on their website even though they seemed to advertise it as being available in the general descriptions?

May be something to do with the new emissions regs across their range, or perhaps they aren't available yet?

You could try sending them an e-mail or call them directly. I did once when I was trying to find out if their auto box was of the dsg variety (didn't want one of those!), and they were really helpful when none of the dealers I contacted actually new!

EssexExile

Excuse my ignorance - aren't all hybrids automatic?

facade

Suzuki have cut back on their model range in the UK.

It is to do with emissions- there is some sort of punitive "eco tax" to pay if their average vehicle emissions are above a certain figure.

Rather than spend out on chasing shrinking figures (now the "cheat software" loophole has been closed) for a country that represents a minuscule fraction of their sales they have simply deleted anything that is above the target.

The Jimny has completely disappeared, mine has negative depreciation, I could easily sell it for more than I paid 12 months ago, the downside is I can't drive it and have to keep it permanently inside a sealed security bunker, as if it is stolen or crashed it can never be replaced

daveyjp

EssexExile said:

Excuse my ignorance - aren't all hybrids automatic?

Like most manufacturers Suzuki have gone for mild hybrid, a small electric motor which reduces emissions by allowing short distance low speed electric only drive.  These don't need an auto box.

AdrianC

daveyjp said:

EssexExile said:

Excuse my ignorance - aren't all hybrids automatic?

Like most manufacturers Suzuki have gone for mild hybrid, a small electric motor which reduces emissions by allowing short distance low speed electric only drive.  These don't need an auto box.

Mild-hybrids don't even allow that. There is no electric-only, which is why there's no need for the car to be able to disconnect the ICE from drive.

It simply uses regeneration to charge the battery, then uses that electricity to give a bit of a power-boost to the ICE. It's not a lot more than a beefier alternator, with a built-in starter motor. PSA were waving it around in the 90s, with the Xsara Dynalto, but never put it into production.

daveyjp

From RAC.

The first is something quite unusual amongst current mild hybrids - the ability for this Suzuki to idle and even coast on full-electric power, though only below 10mph.

RichardD1970

daveyjp said:

From RAC.

The first is something quite unusual amongst current mild hybrids - the ability for this Suzuki to idle and even coast on full-electric power, though only below 10mph.

Not sure I quite understand. Surely idling on "full-electric power" is just a stop start system and the coasting under 10mph just an extension of that, if you're coasting you aren't using any power?  Press the accelerator and the ICE engine will kick in. 🤷

50Twuncle

It appears that many manufacturers (Kia and hyundai included) are stopping productiion of small / cheap "true"  torque convertor automatics - this willl mean that many people, like myself - who drive automatics through necessity, will not be changing their vehicles any time soon ....

50Twuncle

This has now been confirmed by HonestJohn !!

Suzuki have stopped production of most automatic cars (Swifts etc) - in favour of hybrid models.....They only offer SZ3 manual swifts

I have had automatic Suzukis for 15 years

I don't see why Hybrid Cars cannot be Automatics - but if this happens to more brands - it will have a detrimental effect on those of us who drive automatics through need rather than choice !

AdrianC

50Twuncle said:

This has now been confirmed by HonestJohn !!

Frankly, I'd even double-check today's date if I was relying on "confirmed by HonestJohn" - and that's having met him and driven him around central London.

A quick look at Suzuki UK's website shows that some specs of Vitara do have an autobox available.
https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/new-cars/vitara/sz-t/?Transmission=Automatic

I don't see why Hybrid Cars cannot be Automatics

They can be.
Proper hybrids (rather than merely "mild" hybrids) have to be.

but if this happens to more brands - it will have a detrimental effect on those of us who drive automatics through need rather than choice !

Have you considered that the reason they may have been dropped is simply that nobody was buying them?

All manufacturers are reducing the ranges available, because every single tangible drivetrain option or option that results in a significant weight difference has to be fully RDE emission/economy tested. So they're dropping the ones they don't think people want to buy.

If one manufacturer doesn't offer a car you want to buy, buy a different car from somebody else. Or buy used. Or keep your existing car. Or compromise on your requirements and preferences.

Remember - an automatic-only licence and/or an inability to use a clutch pedal doesn't mean you HAVE to have an old-fashioned, inefficient torque-converter box. It just means you can't drive a car with a clutch pedal, whether that be physically or legally.

Only a geek would say "I refuse to buy a car with <that> type of transmission, even though it has lower CO2 figures and/or price. I insist on <that> type", when to all intents and purposes they are functionally identical in operation to a layman. To insist that manufacturers retain them in production just to suit you would be perverse in the extreme.

That's not the same as saying "I believe the reputation for reliability of that particular design means it's best avoided", of course.