Maruti Suzuki currently owns 44.8% of the total market share in India and it’s on number one car manufacturer in the country right now. When you reach the top position it’s important to sustain it as long as possible by keep doing better things, Maruti has same plans as well. Number one car manufacture not just want to sustain this position for a long term but also wants to extend that sales figure mark further more. So in order to achieve that feat Maruti is planning number of launches in 2015 so let’s start with-
1. Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross-
Maruti’s highly anticipated and most awaited crossover S cross which is all set to be launched in the last week of January 2015 which has been spotted testing on Indian soil many times now. Maruti Showcased Sx4 S cross concept at the 2014 auto expo along with Ciaz concept. In Europe SX4 S cross is already on sale and getting decent amount of positive appraise from the buyers.
In international markets it is available with highly powered engines but for India SX4 S cross will get 1.4L petrol and 1.3L Multijet diesel engines which we have seen in Ertiga. It will take on Renault Duster, Terrano, Eco Sport and upcoming Elite i20 crossover.
2. Maruti Suzuki Dzire facelift-
After launching Swift facelift there were speculations that Maruti will launch Dzire facelift by the end of December 2014 but due to some unknown reasons it is pushed to next year by March 2015. 2014 has been a busy year for Maruti with various new launches and facelifts like Ciaz sedan and refresh swift. Dzire facelift has been spotted many times near Maruti’s plant and according to sources first batch of Dzire have been dispatched.
Unlike Swift hatchback Dzire will have more cosmetic and noticeable changes than its hatchback sibling like single slat front chrome grille much like new City, tweaked headlamps, revised rear profile and sporty alloy wheels. Mechanically it will remain same as the current model 1.2L k series petrol and 1.3L Multijet diesel engines. On the inside it might get start stop button, new upholstery and new music system with bluetooth and I-pod compatibility. It will lock its horns with Tata zest, Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze.
3. Maruti Celerio Diesel-
Maruti Celerio is the prime example of Maruti’s first step towards innovation, the reason we are saying this is the inclusion of AMT gearbox which m4. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz RS-ade it the least priced AMT car till now that later overtaken by Alto k10. It will be powered to a new 800cc engine that Maruti is testing on LCV as well; it will give 35 km/ltr mileage that will make it a most fuel efficient car in India. Celerio is more known for its AMT rather than anything but Celerio diesel will get an AMT or not well this is still a confusion but we hope it does get an AMT. It will take on Chevrolet beat and upcoming Tata’s hatchback and expected to be Rs. 80,000 higher than the petrol model.
4. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz RS-
2014 has been a busy year for the Maruti with many car launches, if one has to choose the best among all than it has to Ciaz sedan. Sedan segment always been a challenging section for the Maruti due to unexpected failure of SX4 in the segment against benchmark cars like City, Verna and Vento. To overcome that lag Maruti has launched Ciaz sedan which they showcased at the 2014 auto Expo. Ciaz is competitively priced car with best in segment spacious segment which is somehow dented by under power engines.
Now there is news that Maruti will launch sportier version of Ciaz codenamed as Ciaz RS in the mid of 2015 which is spied with spoiler, rear diffuser, side-rear skirts, multi spoke alloy wheels. On the inside main change would be the advanced touchscreen infotainment system with GPS navigation, AUX etc. Mechanically it will remain same but it will be priced at least 30,000 more than the current model.
5. Wagon R AMT-
After Celerio and Alto K10 it now time for Maruti’s most successful car to get an AMT gearbox. AMT market is growing at rate of nods almost every car maker trying their luck with AMT latest example is Tata zest. Tata zest gathers large booking numbers almost half of them are for AMT.Maruti to carry forward the trend of AMT with the launch of Wagon R AMT soon, main reason behind the inclusion of AMT is make driving stress free in heavy traffic as it makes clutch pressing lesser as compared to manual cars. Another reason behind AMT is that it is more fuel efficient than full fledge automatic transmission.
Mechanically it will remain same continues to get power from 1.0L k10 engine which produces 67bhp power and 90Nm torque. We can expect some cosmetic and interior changes in the AMT variant and it will be 30,000-35,000 pricier than its manual sibling.
6. Maruti new YRA hatchback-
We have seen various spy shots of YRA premium hatchback on many occasions and different locations. YRA hatchback is all set to be showcased at the Geneva motor show in January 2015 and all set to be launched in the mid 2015 in India. YRA hatchback is mainly made to target Elite i20 in the segment and it will place above Swift in the line-up with same engines of Swift but with better tuning and refinement. Front fascia somehow looks similar like swift with U shaped chrome line face; rear side is bit like fiat Palio inspired. In terms of features it will get 7 inch touchscreen infotainment system with GPS navigation, cruise control, ambient lighting, reverse parking sensors, keyless entry and many more. According to some spy shots it looks more premium and spacious than Swift but does it have the potential to beat Indian car of the year winner Elite i20 well let’s wait till its official launch.
7. Maruti Ertiga Facelift-
Maruti’s MPV will complete three years in April 2015 and hence it needs a refresh version. So listening to the demand of market and competition Maruti will launch facelifted Ertiga in the 2nd or 3rd Quarter of 2015 with some changes like new twin slat front grille, new alloy wheels, revised front and rear bumpers?
On the inside it will get same new features like refresh Swift has carried like new upholstery, start/stop button, automatic climate control, keyless entry and many more. In power train segment it continues to get power from 1.4L k series petrol and 1.3L diesel engine but this time with better fuel efficiency and most importantly 4 speed AT gearbox.
8. Maruti Suzuki YBA compact SUV-
Last but not the least and probably the most exciting news for Maruti’s loyal customers who are disappointed with the fact that Maruti doesn’t have any vehicle in SUV segment. With the introduction of Ford Eco Sport, Nissan Terrano compact SUV segment has become the most attention seeker segment for the buyers. Maruti is testing a compact SUV from quite a while now codenamed YBA based on XA alpha concept and design element is inspired by iV-4 concept which was showcased at Frankfurt motor show.
YBA is likely to get power from new range of engines i.e. 1.5L fiat sourced diesel engine producing more than 100bhp power while according to some sources it will be power to a 1.3L DDis engine which we have seen in Ertiga and Ciaz and petrol model might get 1.6L JTD engine. Apart from engine YBA SUV might get Suzuki’s all wheel drive system and YBA will be plotted against Ford Eco Sport when launched. Maruti will showcase it at next year’s auto expo.
