Maruti Suzuki showcased the Concept Ciaz (pronounced as Chi-aaz), the C-segment sedan at the 2014 Auto Expo. The Concept Ciaz will be the basis for the model replacing the SX4 sedan in the segment. The concept demonstrates the capability of the company to expand and grow into new segments and new technologies and has been designed for emerging markets like India and China.
The Concept Ciaz features a sporty character with the large hood and a swept back coupe like roofline. The rich vintage red colour with contrasting chrome accents on the concept gives a premium touch to the appearance of the car. The front features the distinctive Suzuki grille while the headlights feature Daytime running lights along with projector lamps. The concept car adopts a longer wheelbase and a low height giving the Ciaz the sedan styling. The wide bumper houses fog lamps with accentuated chrome accents that smartly have been integrated on the side profile of the concept, highlighting the body lines of the concept.
Moving to the side profile, the car receives a strong shoulder line starting from the doors till the rear tail lamps while a smaller crease line runs down the shoulder line giving an aerodynamic look to the car. The rear on the other hand receives wraparound LED tail lamps, very similar to the ones on the all-new City, while the rear boot-lid along with the triangular shaped twin-exhausts blend together with sharp and dynamic lines to give the concept sporty and elegant looks.
The production version of the concept is expected to be more spacious on the inside and will feature a host of new equipment on offer. Powering the car will be the 1.4-litre K-Series (K14) petrol motor also seen on the Ertiga, albeit in a higher state of tune as opposed to the 1.6-litre petrol engine. The 1.3-litre DDiS is likely to be retained in the same powertrain. The company will offer both Manual and automatic transmissions on the Ciaz sedan.
Expect the prices to be very aggressive considering the Maruti Ciaz will be competing against the segment benchmarks the all-new 2014 Honda City and the Hyundai Verna in its segment. The Ciaz sedan is likely to be launched in the second half of 2014 around the festive season in the country.
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyCDk0U-JuA 540 375]
