Numbers don't lie. It is no hidden secret that Maruti Suzuki is the country's largest carmaker by some distance. So impressive has the carmaker been that it now owns about half of the market share in the country.
The Indian arm of the Japanese carmaker Suzuki also raised it bar in 2017 to record 50.04 percent market share from the previous 45.9 percent a year. With each passing day, these figures continue to push in only one direction –upwards and Maruti Suzuki is planning as many as launches to cement its lead in the market.
The company just launched the new Dzire 2017 in India on May 16 and is already working on its next models. Maruti Suzuki is expected to bring at least three more models in this financial year, which will not only include the new avatars of existing models but a slew of new models.
Maruti Suzuki S-Cross facelift
The S-Cross was the first car of Maruti Suzuki to peddle its fortunes from a budget carmaker to premium car seller. The crossover became the first model of the company to go on sale at Nexa, a premium dealership. Initial sales of the car did not match the hype that heralded its arrival but gradually it picked up. At the last count, it had clocked the milestone of 50,000 units. Now Maruti Suzuki is gearing up for the launch of the facelifted model of the S-Cross. Latest reports suggest that the new S-Cross will come to the Indian market around Diwali this year.
In the new avatar, the S-Cross is expected to host a number of upgrades inside out. The S-Cross facelift will get newly styled front fascia with a larger radiator grille and new projector headlamps and the re-worked rear with tail lamps and new bumper. Inside, the S-Cross facelift will add new features such as new instrument cluster dials with MID and new seat upholstery with contrast stitching, while the basic layout remains untouched.
Under the hood, S-Cross in India is likely to continue with 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.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza petrol/diesel AMT
The Vitara Brezza, the best-selling compact SUV of Maruti Suzuki may soon see AMT (automated manual transmission) avatar and the petrol models. 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.
There is no news of the launch of these new avatars of the Vitara Brezza. However, rumours are rife that this could come in this year.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift
The premium sedan of Maruti Suzuki has now been moved to Nexa dealership. However, there were unconfirmed reports that the model's shift from regular dealerships will be accompanied by a facelift but that did not happen. And now, the sedan is rumoured to be due for a makeover. The Ciaz, in the facelift version is likely to get visual modifications such as new LED headlamps with Daytime Running lights (DRLs), redesigned front and rear bumpers and LED taillamps. Maruti is also expected to give the Ciaz a premium touch both inside and outside.
Mechanically, the upgraded Ciaz is expected to remain the same as the current model. There have been rumours that facelift avatar of the Ciaz could get Suzuki's M15 1.5 litre petrol engine.
New Maruti Suzuki Swift
This is going to be big. Maruti Suzuki's popular hatchback Swift is coming in its new generation avatar. Reports are rife that the new Swift will make its India debut at the Auto Expo 2018, followed by its launch in the country. The Swift, the hatchback in its 3rd generation is based on the light and rigid new-generation platform Heartect. It flaunts honeycomb grille at the front along with sweptback headlamps with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and wears blacked-out A-pillar.
Inside the cabin, Swift is expected to get more upmarket interiors with a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink compatibility, twin-pod instrument cluster and new flat-bottom steering wheel.
While the details about the India-spec new Swift are scanty at this point in time, from what we hear, the new Swift is likely to continue with the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines.
