Hybrid Suzuki Vitara - no Automatic available

Jack_Cork

Torque converter gearboxes will be with us for some while, even in mild hybrids https://www.zf.com/products/en/cars/products_34949.html , which will be used in BMW's

Mercdriver

AdrianC said:

Mercdriver said:
Why is he not allowed to express this?

Whoever said he wasn't?

It was inferred in the tone used by Treeroy.  If I have misinterpreted, then I apologise... geez...

50Twuncle

AdrianC said:

Mercdriver said:
Why is he not allowed to express this?

Whoever said he wasn't?

The only people worth expressing it to are Suzuki GB, of course, but I think we can guess what their reply will be.

Somehow, I doubt it'll be "Oooh, we never thought of that! What a good idea! We'll get some on the next boat from Japan! Have a free one in gratitude.", which is what Twuncle seems to expect.

So it's fairly straightforward choice...
1. Buy a non-hybrid auto Vitara
2. Buy a manual hybrid Vitara
3. Buy something auto hybrid from somebody else
4. Don't buy a new car
Pick one.

1. Not possible - don't exist any more

2. Can't drive a manual - need an automatic

3. Prefer Suzuki

4. Looks like my only option

50Twuncle

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Doesn't this make a sort of sense?  I've always been puzzled by the fact that manufacturers haven't tried to go beyond the traditional torque converter automatic gearbox for hybrid cars.  A hybrid is supposed to be an eco-option, thus equipping it with the least efficient type of gearbox seems counter intuitive.  A normal manual gearbox is, by contrast, an extremely efficient means of transferring power to the wheels.  I know that full hybrid technology relies, in part, on the presence of the torque converter - but surely it's time to look at alternatives?  It sounds like Suzuki are trying to do so, which is good news for those like me who don't want an automatic.
Sorry to hear that it's not what the OP wants, but it seems to me like the new generation of manual hybrids represent something of an advance on the old automatic ones. 

Whilst I agree - I have driven many "so called automatics" and found them to be jerky and unpleasant to  drive

Some of them are no more than converted manuals (Vauxhall) and are dangerous

You try kickdown in one of these - nothing happens until the "strings tighten"

Reliability is another issue - VW tiptronic / DSG boixes fail with regulariity

Whereas Torque converters are smooth and reliable

As for MPG - My current TC Baleno averages 55 MPG - beat that !

AdrianC

50Twuncle said:

AdrianC said:

So it's fairly straightforward choice...
1. Buy a non-hybrid auto Vitara
2. Buy a manual hybrid Vitara
3. Buy something auto hybrid from somebody else
4. Don't buy a new car
Pick one.

1. Not possible - don't exist any more

2. Can't drive a manual - need an automatic

3. Prefer Suzuki

4. Looks like my only option

So there y'go.
You put your brand preference above your preference to buy a new car. That was an easy decision.

BTW, as for 1 - I'll believe Suzuki GB's website, ta.

Oh, and you do know that Suzuki are moving towards rebadging Toyotas? The Across is a mildly restyled RAV4, in showrooms in a month or three, and there's going to be a mildly restyled Corolla coming soon. They both offer "proper" hybrids with autos, rather than their own "mild".

Ditzy_Mitzy

@50Twuncle
If you're prepared to wait for a bit, Suzuki is poised to release a full hybrid SUV called the Across (which looks nice in the photos).  It's a full hybrid so, presumably, won't have any sort of gearbox at all - simply a case of selecting forwards or reverse and forgetting about it.  

Scrapit

Is this any different to ferrari not making a world beating car for the price of a fiesta cos that's what I'd like?

AdrianC

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

@50Twuncle
If you're prepared to wait for a bit, Suzuki is poised to release a full hybrid SUV called the Across (which looks nice in the photos).  It's a full hybrid so, presumably, won't have any sort of gearbox at all - simply a case of selecting forwards or reverse and forgetting about it.  

Or walk into a Toyota dealer now, and buy the exact same thing with a RAV4 badge on.

Jack_Cork

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

@50Twuncle
If you're prepared to wait for a bit, Suzuki is poised to release a full hybrid SUV called the Across (which looks nice in the photos).  It's a full hybrid so, presumably, won't have any sort of gearbox at all - simply a case of selecting forwards or reverse and forgetting about it.  

Even in full hybrids the gearbox isnt dead yet https://press.zf.com/press/en/releases/release_10181.html

facade

I went into the Suzuki showroom today, whilst the Jimny was in to get the service book stamped.

The salesman reckons

1) Suzuki only sell hybrids now, and the £30k plug in.

2) there will be autos, in a "few" months, but don't hold your breath, probably well into next year.