Nearly a decade after launching the first generation of the Dzire, Maruti Suzuki has now launched its third generation, sans the ‘Swift’ tag. While the petrol variants of the entry-level sedan is priced at Rs 545,000-841,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), the diesel variants range from Rs 645,000-941,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).
Based on the same platform which underpins Baleno, Maruti Suzuki has introduced four variants each for both petrol and diesel variants, with both getting the option of AMT gearbox.
This is the company’s second launch in 2017 after Ignis and will only be catering to personal car buyers. Close to 98 per cent localized, the entry-level sedan will be taking on Ford Aspire, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, VW Ameo, Tata Tiago, among others in this segment.
Retaining the existing power trains, the petrol version gets the 1.2L engine that develops a power output of 61Kw and 113Nm of torque and claims a mileage of 22.0 kmpl. The 1.3L diesel engine churns out a maximum power of 113Kw and 190Nm of torque and claims a mileage of 28.4 kmpl. It is wider by 40 mm than the outgoing version and also comes with 62 litre of extra boot space and extra leg room of 55mm compared to the previous Dzire.
“The Dzire was specially created for India, and has been one of the most popular brands ever in the Indian automobile industry. Now, we have designed a whole new Dzire for sedan customers to fulfill the growing aspirations of a young and prosperous India,” Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO - Maruti Suzuki, said at the launch.
India’s largest carmaker has already garnered bookings of 33,000 units so far for the new model, to be built at its Manesar facility. Maruti Suzuki, along with its suppliers, have invested over Rs 1,000 crore for the new generation Dzire. The current model would now be sold as Dzire Tour.
Maruti Suzuki has clocked sales of over 1.38 million units of the old Dzire since its launch in March 2008.
BW Reporters
The author is a Principal Correspondent at BW Businessworld.
