In spite of having a stable year in the last fiscal, Maruti Suzuki really could not stir up the automotive scene with fresh new launches and rather relied on its existing, yet efficient product portfolio to bring in the volumes. However, financial 2014-15 will see India’s largest car maker go on an offensive mode with the launch of eight new products in various segments across the market. This fiscal will also mark Maruti Suzuki’s foray in the light commercial vehicle space; an unchartered territory for the company till now.
We give you a glimpse on what to expect from each of the products that will be launched in the coming months.
1) Maruti Ciaz – Replacing the SX4 in the C-segment sedan space, the Ciaz was first shown at the Auto Expo earlier this year and garnered rave reviews for its flamboyant styling and appealing persona. The Maruti Ciaz measures considerably longer than the SX4, offering more space in the cabin. The company states that the upcoming sedan will be a major departure from its predecessor providing excellent driving dynamics coupled with rear seat comfort. The Ciaz will also get a plethora of features on par with competition added to the cabin. Engine options include the 1.4-litre K-Series petrol motor and the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine with launch scheduled for July.
2) Maruti Alto 800 Facelift – Maruti’s bestselling entry-level car, the Alto 800 is ready to go under the surgeon’s knife for a new look. Expect major styling changes on the front fascia of the hatchback, along with mild changes to the rear tail gate. The Alto 800 will also get fog light enclosures on the front bumper, which is absent on the current model. The car might share some parts with the Celerio, while the engine is expected to be the same 796cc petrol motor producing 48 PS and 69 Nm of torque, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. The facelift could be extended to the K10 model as well in the Alto range.
3) Maruti Y9T LCV – Maruti’s maiden venture into the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) space, the Y9T (codename) is based on the Suzuki Carry pick-up sold internationally and will get a home grown 800cc diesel engine. Maruti will also plonk a 1200cc CNG specific variant under the hood, but it is the diesel that is expected to bring the volumes for the company. The Y9T LCV is expected to carry a price tag of around Rs. 4 lakhs and will be competing against the Tata Ace, Mahindra Genio, Piaggio Ape and Force Trump in the segment.
4) Maruti Celerio Diesel – The new 800cc diesel motor will find application in several other vehicles in Maruti’s portfolio including the Celerio. Known for its AMT gearbox, the Celerio will get the 800cc diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual and possibly an AMT unit as well. The engine has been tuned to provide low-end torque and high fuel efficiency and will be competing primarily against the Chevrolet Beat diesel in the segment. The Celerio diesel will see a launch in the first quarter of 2015 and will be priced at a marginal premium than its petrol counterpart.
5) Maruti Wagon R AMT – Known for its roomy cabin and compact body, the Wagon R will get the AMT unit from the Celerio next year. The Celerio and Wagon R essentially share the same 1.0-litre K-Series motor and mating the same to the AMT unit won’t be much of a hassle for the company. Considering the fact the Wagon R enjoys consistent sales being a value for money product, it only makes sense to add the option of an automatic and see the numbers rise.
6) Maruti S-Cross – Showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo in February, the S-Cross is a based on the new generation SX4 with the tough black cladding and a high ground clearance. The S-Cross however, will be competing in the compact SUV segment against the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. The Crossover is slated for a launch in the first quarter of 2015 and might get a Peugeot sourced 1.6-litre diesel engine producing around 110 HP of power. The S-Cross also scored a 5-star rating at Euro NCAP and will surely put up a good fight against compact SUVs and pseudo crossovers like the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross. Expect a market price in the range of Rs. 9-12 lakhs.
7) Maruti Swift Facelift – Like most of you, we too feel that its high time the Swift facelift which was launched last year across Europe, comes to India. Maruti though is waiting to launch the Swift facelift as soon as it clears current inventory and thus the facelift of its best selling model will go on sale in July. The facelift model will retain the current styling, but will be updated with daytime running lights, revised fog lamps and new wheel covers. On the inside, expect to see new upholstery, automatic headlamps, electronically retracting rear view mirrors and so on. Bluetooth connectivity is a must on the updated version. Engine options are expected to be the same with the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol and 1.3-litre DDiS motors doing duty.
8) Maruti Swift DZire Facelift – Extending the facelift to its booted sibling, the Swift DZire too will get the host of goodies which the hatchback version will receive. The DZire is expected to retain the different grille at the front, while the rest of the changes will be the same as the Swift. Both the models will see a year-end launch and will also help keep the cars fresh till the next generation models come out after a couple of years.
