Category: 4wd

Suzuki celebrates 55 years of AllGrip 4×4 technology

Gareth Herincx

21 seconds ago
Auto News

Suzuki ALLGRIP line-up

This year marks a milestone for Suzuki’s globally renowned AllGrip 4×4 technology – first introduced in the dinky LJ10 back in 1970.

More recently known as AllGrip, it was created by evolving the company’s vast 4WD knowledge to provide driving enjoyment and peace of mind in diverse conditions while promoting fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions thanks to Suzuki’s lightweight design philosophy.

Over the years, Suzuki has sold 4×4 versions of a healthy chunk of its models – from the Ignis city car and Swift supermini, to the cult classic Jimny SUV.

  • 1970 – LJ10
  • 1972 – LJ20
  • 1974 – LJ50
  • 1976 – LJ80
  • 1981 – SJ410
  • 1984 – SJ413
  • 1988 – Cultus / Swift GTI AWD – Japan
  • 1988 – First generation Vitara
  • 1995 – X-90
  • 1998 – Jimny
  • 1998 – Grand Vitara
  • 2004 – First Generation Ignis
  • 2005 – Second Generation Grand Vitara
  • 2006 – SX4
  • 2012 – Kizashi
  • 2013 – Swift – AllGrip ‘Auto’
  • 2013 – SX4 S-Cross – AllGrip ‘Select’
  • 2015 – Third Generation Vitara – AllGrip ‘Select’
  • 2017 – Ignis – AllGrip ‘Auto’
  • 2017 – Swift – AllGrip ‘Auto’
  • 2018 – Jimny – AllGrip ‘Pro’
  • 2021 – S-Cross – AllGrip ‘Select’
  • 2024 – Swift – AllGrip ‘Auto’
  • 2025 – e Vitara – AllGrip-e

Suzuki e Vitara

And to bring the story right up to date, 2025 will see the launch of Suzuki’s first electric vehicle – the e Vitara, which will be available with AllGrip-e.

AllGrip-e utilises Suzuki’s expertise in four-wheel drive technology, featuring two independent motors at the front and rear.

Suzuki says the system “not only provides powerful performance but also allows for precise control with excellent responsiveness”.

Priced from £29,999 for the entry-level 2WD model, the AllGrip-e 4WD version will cost from £34,999.

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A Rare 1982 Audi Ur Quattro is Found in Scotland after almost 30 Years

1982 Audi Ur Quattro

After Almost 30 Years, this Alpine White Audi Ur Quattro from 1982 is Found and Rescued from a Scottish Garage

Just last month, a 1982 Audi Ur Quattro got to see the sun after being locked away in a Scottish garage since 1994. Featured on Jonny Smith’s The Late Brake Show was Jason and his late brother’s Ur Quattro, which was stored in his garage for reasons unknown, and then left untouched for 28 years. That is, until Smith came along to show the world an incredibly rare and rally bred beauty.

Having sat in a windowless garage for nearly three decades, the interior was a tad dusty, but intact, colorful and bright – just like it would have been in 1982. No sun damage or bleaching, no rodent damage, and very little water and mold damage – despite being so close to Scottish shores. The only evidence the car had even seen the light of day beforehand was a few retro packs of cigarettes and an air freshener.

After phoning a friend who had access to a trove of classic Audi knowledge, he was able to find out that the car was hand-built by a team of Audi workers in July of 1982 – before mass production took affect for the company. It also happened to be only one of 70 right hand drive models sold in the United Kingdom, making for the Alpine white Quattro with matching Fuch wheels the stuff of legends.

1982 Audi Ur Quattro

A Rich and Capable History

What makes the Ur Quattro that Smith stumbled upon so special wasn’t just the origin story, but what came of the result. For instance, the Quattro was inspired by Volkswagen’s very capable but fairly unknown Iltis – an off-roader that was used by the German military. Audi, knowing that the Iltis could quite literally go anywhere but was slower than molasses on a winter day, decided to take what made the Iltis so successful and make it prettier and faster. And thus, the Ur Quattro was born.

Once the Quattro was introduced into professional rallying, though, the world of rally was forever changed. Anyone who is into rally knows the Audi Quattro – and how much of an impact the permanent 4WD system had on competing manufacturers.

1982 Audi Ur Quattro

While Smith didn’t take the precious Audi home, he did try valiantly to try and start the famous 2.2 liter five-cylinder up. Despite fresh oil, cleaning up the distributor points, sprucing up the plugs and hooking it up to a bigger battery, the Quattro needed more attention that Smith could give it. Shortly after Smith’s visit in Scotland, the one of a kind car went up for auction and was sold for £20,250. To check out the listing and more photos of the incredible car, click here.

To view the original video, check out some retro wrappers and newspapers found in the garage and what Jason’s brother traded in to get the Audi, watch the video below.

Cars were always a central part of Kristen’s life. It all started with passing tools to her colorfully cursing sailor of a father while he was underneath Chevy Novas from the 1970s. Eventually she was promoted from Tool Monkey to Apprentice – auto mechanics were her first love. Having graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2020 and married a successful mechanic, she spend most of her days reading, writing and talking about what she loves most: cars.