The coming months look exciting for auto lovers in India as carmakers are gearing up for new launches to turn their fortunes around in what is turning out to be an intensely competitive industry. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, is expected to be upfront in this game. The company is expected to bring in new models like Ignis, and variants of Vitara Brezza and Baleno. And in the pipeline is also the new Dzire compact sedan.
Maruti Suzuki Ignis
The auto enthusiasts in the country have been hearing this name for quite some time now. Ignis, the compact crossover from the country's largest carmaker, is finally set for its launch in the country early next year. Although the compact crossover was expected to come during the festive season, the production constraint of the current models like Vitara Brezza and Baleno has prompted the company to defer the launch of Ignis in India.
Ignis is likely to be powered by a 1.2-litre VTVT petrol engine and a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel unit. Maruti is also said to be considering 1.0 BoosterJet turbo-petrol engine for the Ignis and could also be available with Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) box. Ignis will be the third model to join the floor of Nexa, the premium dealership of the country's largest carmaker in the country.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS
The Boosterjet variant of Baleno RS would be launched in the country in coming months. Although Baleno RS would look identical to the regular model, there will be additional features like side skirts and new diamond cut alloy wheels to distinguish from the current Baleno. Baleno RS will be powered by the Boosterjet of Suzuki, which would churn out close to 110bhp of power and 170Nm of peak torque. It will take on the likes of Fiat Abarth Punto, Ford Figo 1.5-litre petrol and Volkswagen Polo GT TSI in India.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza petrol/AMT
Maruti is also readying the AMT (automated manual transmission) avatar and the petrol model of its hot-selling model the Vitara Brezza compact SUV. The powered model and AMT are expected to join the compact SUV line-up early next year. While AMT is likely to be offered in the diesel engine variants, the petrol model would get 1.5-litre petrol mill, which would churn around 100bhp of power mated to five-speed manual transmission or automatic gearbox. Maruti may also consider the 1.0 litre BoosterJet engine. Vitara Brezza is currently powered by a 200 DDis 1248cc diesel engine that develops 88.5bhp at 4,000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1,750rpm mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It boasts of best-in-class fuel efficiency of 24.3kmpl.
New Maruti Suzuki Dzire
The work on Dzire is said to be progressing rapidly and the model has also recently hit the road for testing. Dzire in its new avatar is likely to get new front and rear bumpers with changes such as new projector headlight with daytime running lights (DRLS) and bold grille and LED tail lamp cluster. Other features likely to be seen include automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, reverse camera and steering-mounted controls. Under the hood, the new Dzire is likely to get the same 1.2-liter petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines of the current model. Maruti might also bring a 1.0-litre BoosterJet engine along with SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) technology.
Maruti Suzuki S-Cross facelift
Maruti will also launch the facelifted avatar of S-Cross in India in 2017. The S-Cross facelift, which was unveiled earlier this year features re-styled front bumper and a larger radiator grille along with new projector headlamps. The headlamp unit gets daytime running lamps and at the back, the S-Cross facelift gets slightly redesigned tail lamps and bumper. In the international markets, the S-Cross facelift now gets 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine with four-wheel drive (4WD). However, in India, the S-cross facelift is likely to carry over the same 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre diesel units. The 1.3-litre diesel motor churns out 89bhp power and 200Nm torque and 1.6-litre diesel engine tuned to pump out 118bhp and 320Nm.
