- Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara AllGrip AWD tech explained
- Suzuki AllGrip AWD: what is it?
- Suzuki AllGrip Auto: how it works
- Suzuki AllGrip Select: how it works
- Suzuki AllGrip Pro: how it works
- Suzuki AllGrip in India
- Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
- suzuki
- Grand Vitara II Next
- Grand Vitara II 2013 Facelift Next
- Ignis 4grip Next
- Jimny (1998 — 2018) Next
- Jimny (2018 — . ) Next
- Liana 4Grip Next
- SX4 (2006-2012) Next
- SX4 S-Cross 2012 Next
- Vitara 1988-2006 Top
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara AllGrip AWD tech explained
When it arrives, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and its cousin, the Toyota Hyryder, will be the only models in the midsize SUV segment to offer four-wheel-drive capability. Suzuki offers its four-wheel-drive tech in three versions, and we take a look at each and examine the one that will be offered on the Grand Vitara and Hyryder.
Suzuki AllGrip AWD: what is it?
Suzuki uses the ‘AllGrip’ moniker for its all-wheel-drive tech, which comes in three grades or versions. The first is the ‘AllGrip Auto’, which is offered on the international-spec Swift and Ignis. Then there’s the ‘AllGrip Select’ system that’s available on the Vitara and S-Cross models sold abroad and will be the one offered on the Grand Vitara and Hyryder in India. And lastly, there’s the ‘AllGrip Pro’ for more serious off-roaders such as the Suzuki Jimny.
Suzuki AllGrip Auto: how it works
The simplest of the AWD systems, AllGrip Auto works in two-wheel-drive (front wheels) mode by default and automatically engages the rear wheels on slippery roads when the system detects the front wheels losing grip. Once the grip is restored and the vehicle is travelling normally, the system reverts to two-wheel-drive (2WD) mode.
This process happens via a viscous coupling located between the front and rear axles. When the front wheels slip, there is a rotational difference between the front and rear differentials, and this difference churns and heats up the oil in the viscous coupling. This heating of the oil causes it to expand engaging a multi-disc clutch, which then sends power to the rear wheels.
Suzuki AllGrip Select: how it works
Unlike AllGrip Auto, which automatically engages and disengages, AllGrip Select offers the driver control over the system, with four modes to choose from – Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock. The system is electronically controlled via a push-and-turn dial on the dashboard.
In Auto mode, two-wheel drive (front wheels) is the default, and when the system detects front wheel slippage, it sends power to the rear wheels via an electronic coupling. Once the front wheels have grip, the system switches back to 2WD. Suzuki says that the system can also anticipate slippage based on the road surface, throttle position, steering angle and other factors, and thus send power to the rear wheels just before slippage occurs, thereby improving driving stability.
In Sport mode, apart from switching the engine to a lively throttle setting, the AWD system – using inputs from the steering wheel, throttle position and other sensors – calculates the vehicle’s intended motion and path, and then automatically sends appropriate amount of power to the rear wheels to help in cornering manoeuvres. Thus, the driver gets an overall sporty driving experience from both, the engine and the handling characteristic.
Snow mode, as the name suggests, is for use in snow and other similar, slippery conditions. The system sends very measured amounts of power to all wheels to maintain a stable driving condition. At times, the system can operate in 2WD mode, but here too it anticipates any slip/skid conditions and can send power to the rear wheels to mitigate them and provide a stable drive condition.
Lock mode is a subset of ‘Snow mode’ and can be engaged only in conjunction with the latter. In this setting, power is sent to all four wheels in a near-50:50 front-rear power distribution ratio. This helps the vehicle get through muddy, sandy and tougher off-road conditions. There is also a brake-locking-differential function which, via the ESP system, can brake an individual spinning wheel, thus tricking the differential into sending power to the wheels on the ground.
Suzuki AllGrip Pro: how it works
In the AllGrip Pro system, the main distinguishing feature is the presence of a low-ratio gear that further multiples engine torque and limits speed. Of the three AllGrip modes, this is the one best suited to off-road driving.
The driver can select between two-wheel-drive high (2H), used for all normal driving conditions; four-wheel-drive high (4H), for some off-road or slippery conditions; and four-wheel-drive low (4L) mode, which is required for very tough off-road conditions like deep mud and sand or very steep slopes.
Suzuki AllGrip system | |||
---|---|---|---|
AllGrip Auto | AllGrip Select | AllGrip Pro | |
Operation | Automatic | Driver selectable | Driver selectable |
Modes | None | Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock | 2H, 4H and 4L |
Selection mechanism | None | Switch-dial | Lever |
Low ratio gear | No | No | Yes |
Models on offer | Swift, Ignis (international) | Vitara and S-Cross (international), Grand Vitara and Hyryder | Jimny |
Suzuki AllGrip in India
The Grand Vitara will bring in AllGrip Select technology to our market, and while Maruti Suzuki is highly unlikely to offer the AllGrip Auto system in the Ignis or Swift or the AllGrip Select system on the Indian S-Cross, we will see AllGrip Pro with the arrival of the 5-door Jimny.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
₹ 12,22,575 * on road price (New Delhi)
suzuki
Also known as Suzuki Vitara, Chevrolet Tracker, Chevrolet Grand Vitara.
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Grand Vitara II Next
Also known as Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Grand Vitara JP (Taiwan), Suzuki Grand Nomade, Suzuki Grand Vitara SZ.
Full-time all wheel drive. Manually lockable center differential. Low range. LSD (2005-2009) or EDL.
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Grand Vitara II 2013 Facelift Next
Sold in the USA in three variants: rear wheel drive, full-time all wheel drive without low gear, and «4-mode 4wd» — full-time all wheel drive with manually lockable center differential and low range.
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Ignis 4grip Next
Automatic all wheel drive. Normally front-wheel drive vehicle. Rear axle engaged via viscous coupling when front wheels slip.
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Jimny (1998 — 2018) Next
You can switch between 2WD and 4WD while driving in a straight line at a speed no higher than 100km/h. You must stop the vehicle to switch between 4WD and 4WD-L.
1. 2WD: for normal on-road driving, with all engine torque going to the rear wheels.
2. 4WD: front axle is engaged and locked, there is no center differential. Can be used on loose surface only.
3. 4WD-L: front axle is engaged with low ratio gears
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Jimny (2018 — . ) Next
You can switch between 2WD and 4WD while driving in a straight line at a speed no higher than 100km/h. You must stop the vehicle to switch between 4WD and 4WD-L.
1. 2WD: for normal on-road driving, with all engine torque going to the rear wheels.
2. 4WD: front axle is engaged and locked, there is no center differential. Can be used on loose surface only.
3. 4WD-L: front axle is engaged with low ratio gears
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Liana 4Grip Next
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SX4 (2006-2012) Next
Automatic all wheel drive. Normally a front-wheel drive vehicle. Rear axle engaged automatically via a multiplate wet clutch when front wheels slip. 2wd or 4wd modes can be forced by a button on the console.
The SX4 has the EMCD coupling by GKN. Dacia Duster, Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, and Mini All4 use the same coupling. The unit is activated from a dedicated control unit and is supposed to react quickly. The switch is 2WD, AUTO, LOCK. LOCK disengages at around 60 km/h and it goes to AUTO again. The electromagnet twists a cam plate which causes steel balls to roll uphill between the roller surfaces thereby pressing them apart and this produces the force that presses the multi plate clutch together.
The clutch can become overheated if offroading or the car is deeply stuck in snow, which is indicated by a flashing AUTO light.
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SX4 S-Cross 2012 Next
Launched in 2012 the «AllGrip» is the newest and most modern 4wd-system engineered by Suzuki/Japan.
Normally front-wheel drive vehicle. Rear axle engaged automatically and electronically controlled via a multiplate wet clutch (100:0 until 50:50).
AUTO = normal conditions, 100:0 (fuel save) to 50:50 (lock)
SPORT = winding roads, fun to drive, 100:0 to 50:50, sporty accelerator-torque-characteristic, less engine traction control
SNOW = slippery roads, 100:0 to 50:50, steering angle control, much engine torque control and brake traction control for stable driving
LOCK = got stuck, 50:50 lock, differential lock right/left via brake control
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Vitara 1988-2006 Top
Also known as Asüna Sunrunner, Chevrolet Tracker, Chevrolet Vitara, Geo Tracker, GMC Tracker, Mazda Proceed Levante, Pontiac Sunrunner, Santana 300/350, Suzuki Escudo, Suzuki Sidekick.
Part-time all wheel drive. Lever-operated two-speed part-time transfer case. 1.82:1 low gear. From 1999- new vacuum-actuated front axle disconnect, which eliminates the need of backing-up to disengage the the front hubs.
Corporate IFS open differential axle up front, corporate rear live axle equipped with limited slip (open differential rear on Chevrolet Tracker).
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