However renowned and popular the Indian Automotive Giant, Maruti might be, but it had been time tested that people understand and take Maruti up only for making good small cars, and it is evident also that whenever Maruti had tried testing a hand in introducing a considerably big car in the market, it had failed in its approach back to back. Even for instance take Kizashi, Grand Vitara or even the SX4 itself. They all had been quite big players from the stable of Maruti but had disappointed a lot in not getting customer feedbacks for them and ultimately resulting in a failure. Still, Maruti is so stubborn that it won’t stop trying hard and that is why we have latest news regarding Maruti, which it is going to be replacing the failed sedan, SX4 with an upcoming sedan which is expected to be called Ciaz or Alivio.
Design
First unveiled in the 2013 Beijing Motor Show and then in 2014 India Auto Expo, the Ciaz (as it is expected to be called finally) took away hearts of people in first look itself. Based on Suzuki’s Authentic Concept Scheme, this car is going to be a completely different approach towards Indian market by Maruti Suzuki, which is going to be conversing in a whole new design language.
The car, as showcased in the Auto Expo, gathered a lot of buzz catching around associated to its looks and design which somehow looks similar to Kizashi’s, minus the chubbiness. The car, unlike SX4 or Kizashi is going to be much sharper and edgier with considerably lower in stance and sharp overall profile. Apart from that, new wraparound and sharper headlamp cluster with DRL LEDs and projector headlamps look mean and wild with a very sophisticated yet beauty spilling front profile with large chrome grille and sharper bumper and air intake console. While the side profile looks sleeker and sharpness stays intact with more refined character lines on the body and finally, the car ends on a very happy and chiseled note with LED rear lamps treatment fitted to an evenly sharp ending body.
Technical Information
In the technical department, we expect the well-chiseled hood of the car to have the usual breathers under it to make this car roll. That is, we are told that the car might get the usual set of two engines i.e. a 1.4 litre K-Series petrol engine to be shared with Ertiga while a 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engine is going to be the same as used in SX4 which comes from Fiat. But a fine tune of these conventional engines to deliver more power, performance and efficiency can be expected as one of the internal source reveals to us. Also, if we consider the rumors associated, then this car might get lucky in adding a newly developed 1.6 litre Multijet diesel engine to be more optimum in diesel performance.
Apart from that, in dimensional figures, we got to know that the car is going to be measured at around 4545 x 1730 x 1475mm with a long wheelbase of 2650 mm and we expect the car to be moderate in ground clearance area as well to be as high as 150-160 mm above the ground.
Interiors and Safety
Internally, we didn’t get any specific clearance how the car is going to be. But still, we expect all the up-market features like good quality internal trimmings, Automatic Climate Control, two-tone interior theme, a central infotainment system with touch control and Navigation system etc. Apart from that, as we discussed the car has ample length and wheelbase, then it would be very easy for the company to infuse very comfortable room space for the car with evenly comfortable rear seats, a central armrest with cup-holders and rear AC vents with controls would be really very intuitive and market competing.
Apart from that, in the safety department, the car is expected to implicate features like ABS+EBD, 2 Airbags, 16″more stable wheels, engine immobilizer, central locking, side impact beams etc as standard.
Pricing
Nothing is clear as such, but keeping the fact in mind that it is going to be an SX4 replacer with more add on features to offer, we expect it to be priced competitively in market at around 8.5-10 lakhs.
For more details on upcoming cars, keep looking this space.
