Maruti Suzuki will soon add an automatic start-stop system to the hot-selling Wagon R. The vehicle’s fuel efficiency is set to increase marginally.
The Maruti Wagon R is one such hatchback that sells like hot cakes every month. While the Waggie doesn’t offer any snob value or creature comforts, what draws most people to this little box is the sheer amount of economy that it delivers while driving and servicing. The Wagon R also has a lot of practicality attached to it. Maruti offers the car with a company-fitted CNG kit which takes cost of running to another level and that is one of the most significant reasons for the Wagon R selling so well. Maruti is now testing a slightly refreshed version of the Wagon R and it is likely that this new model will hit the markets very soon.
The updated Maruti Wagon R will come with an automatic start-stop system. Maruti calls it the IdlingStop system. This technology automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop during traffic signals or when the vehicle is idling for long during stop-go peak hour traffic. This technology will help the Wagon R deliver a marginally better fuel efficiency figure which will draw more buyers towards the vehicle. Also, looking at the picture, it seems that the new Wagon R will also get refreshed tail lights. Maruti will also give a small cosmetic facelift to the hatchback as well.
The new Maruti Wagon R will most likely be launched by mid-2015. It will continue to come powered by the same 1.0-litre K10 petrol motor that churns out 67 BHP of power and 90 Nm of torque. The petrol variants deliver a fuel efficiency of 20.5 km/l while the CNG variant gives out 26.6 km/kg of gas. At present, the Maruti Wagon R is priced between Rs. 3.61 to 4.50 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the new model might get a small price hike. The Maruti Wagon R competes with the Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat and Datsun GO.
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