AS the Suzuki Vitara reaches its 30th birthday the Japanese car maker is making updates to the current model with a new look inside and out and new engines.

Suzuki says the 2019 Vitara will be its most technically advanced model to date and new safety technology available as standard equipment on top grade SZ5 cars will include dual sensor brake support, lane departure warning and prevention, traffic sign recognition, a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

The new line up will feature Suzuki's 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbo charged petrol engines as introduced in the S-Cross model range late last year and these will replace the 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Vitara SZ4 and SZ-T grades are equipped with the 1.0-litre 111ps Boosterjet engine and ALLGRIP four wheel drive is available optionally on the SZ-T with manual transmission.

SZ5 models are equipped with the 1.4-litre engine which offers a power output of 140ps and 220Nm of torque is available from just 1,500rpm through to 4,000rpm. WLTP fuel consumption and emission figures for both engines will be available closer to the launch date.

For the exterior, new design alloy wheels are available, there's a redesigned front grille and lower bumper and the rear of the car features new look LED combination lamps.

For the interior, the upper instrument panel now incorporates a soft touch material for added quality and the instrument cluster has a new design with colour central information display.

Pricing for the new model will be announced closer to the launch date. The current Vitara range, launched in the UK in 2015, runs from £15,999 to £23,649.