Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

 

Expected Launch: September 2014

Expected Price: 7.25 - 10.50 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is not launched in India yet. Information on this page is tentative.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Preview

Maruti Suzuki will discontinue the SX4 sedan next year – it will be replaced by a new executive car which is currently under testing with the code name YL1. Although the Indian auto major has been tightlipped about the upcoming model, a fair bit of information is available on the web, courtesy leaks and spy images.

The YL1 sedan is allegedly based on the Suzuki Authentics concept that debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show in April. Both the sketches and spy photos show that the new car gets an aggressive front fascia, with trapezoidal front grille. The front grille has ample amount of chrome and headlamps are stretched and angular. The overall dimensions of the new sedan will be a bit bigger than the outgoing SX4, but it won’t be as tall a car. The design sketch reveals an equally aggressive rear end with lamps that runs into the tailgate that has multiple creases (needless to say more chrome).

The YL1 will be based on the Ertiga platform, which in turn borrows from the Swift hatchback. This means Maruti will have the option of component sharing to cut cost and bring in economies of scale. We expect the YL1 interiors to be similar to that of the Ertiga with the all-beige treatment. The drop trims and other inserts will be premium as this will slot it in the segment above the Ertiga. The SX4 has always been a spacious car and the same will be the case with the YL1. The cabin will be ergonomic and designed to comfortably seat three adults on the rear bench.

The features on the new car will include a factory-fitted music system with Bluetooth and multimedia functions. The AC with climate control will feature on the mid and top-end variants along with rear vents. Steering mounted audio control, cooled glove box, door pockets at the back are few other features that will be available with the new car. Maruti might also offer a premium package with leather seats as an optional extra. The safety features in the new car will include ABS-EBD and two airbags as standard for the top end variants.

The petrol version of the YL1 will be powered by the 1.4-litre K-Series engine from the Ertiga producing 93bhp and 130Nm of torque. The base variants will be available with a five-speed manual transmission, whereas the top-end will also get the option of AT. The diesel on the other hand will continue to use the 1.3-litre turbocharged multi jet mill developing 90bhp and 200NM of torque. Depending upon the response to the new car, Maruti will make plans to introduce a CNG variant, since it is already available with the 1.4 litre Ertiga petrol.

Maruti is expected to continue using the same nomenclature for the new sedan, the petrol variants should be – LXi, VXi and ZXi, while the diesel variants will mostly be named – LDi, VDi and ZDi. The YL1 is still a codename and the company will rebrand the product before launch. There is a possibility that the new car will also be badged as the SX4. However, Maruti will opt for a different name, if the current model is not discontinued.

More details on the new car are likely to emerge at the Auto Expo 2014, where the YL1 is expected to debut along with few other Maruti products. The executive sedan will go on sale by mid-2014 to compete in the C-Segment with cars like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento, Renault Scala and others. Being a Maruti product, the pricing strategy is expected to be very aggressive with an entry tag of around Rs 7.25 lakh and the top version will be priced under Rs 10.5 lakh.