As 2016, which has been a great year for Maruti Suzuki with ever growing sales, growing market share and a very successful sub-compact SUV – the Vitara Brezza comes to a close, we take a look at what India’s largest car maker will offer in 2017. With some big launches in expected, 2017 promises to be an even bigger year for Maruti so here is a quick list of what you can expect.
The Ignis was recently revealed in the country at a special event
The first product that Maruti Suzuki will launch in 2017 will be the new Ignis. The Ignis will be priced somewhere around the Rs 5-6 lakh price point and will be available with both petrol and diesel units. What is noteworthy though is the fact that both the petrol and diesel will get the AMT or as Maruti calls it, AGS (Auto gear shift) units. The Ignis will go up against the likes of the Mahindra KUV100 and is positioned as a micro utility vehicle. The Igins also has features like LED daytime running lights and projector headlamps while on the interior front, the free-standing touchscreen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ignis also gets funky toggle switch type controls for the AC unit. Another positive feature of the Ignis is the amount of space the interior offers. With a large boot, the rear leg room is still noteworthy and so is the headroom due to the tallboy design. The Ignis will also be offered with a range of customisation options like a two tone paintjob and roof wraps. The car will be sold exclusively through the Nexa chain.
The new gen Suzuki Swift was recently revealed in Japan
New Generation Maruti Suzuki Swift
The new Swift is possibly the biggest launch of 2017 for Maruti Suzuki. The popular hatchback has just been unveiled and the new car will be the third generation in India. The new Swift will feature modern supermini styling with a floating roof like the Brezza. The new Swift will also get an all new and very stylish interior package with a large touchscreen and an Audi-esque steering wheel. The Swift will be available with both petrol and diesel engines and in all probability will also get a 1.0-litre turbo engine and the Swift Sport of Swift RS moniker that India has never had in the past. The new Swift should be launched in the second half of 2017. But, before the new Swift comes to India, Maruti will launch the next car in the list.
New Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire
For the first time, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire will actually predate the launch of the Swift hatchback on which it is based. The new Dzire will get the same running gear as the Swift and the same interior but of course be slightly larger overall at just under 4 meters. Expect the new Dzire to be more spacious as compared to the current generation Dzire, which has lost of on rear seat comfort due to low legroom as compared to its competition. The Swift and the Dzire will not be sold through Nexa and will be sold through Maruti’s well placed standard dealership network. Expect the Dzire to feature a nicer looking design as compared to the version that is available now. That said, we do not expect the new Dzire to have the floating roof design or the two tone options that the normal Swift will have.
The Baleno RS was revealed at the 2016 Auto Expo
Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS
The Baleno RS will bring about the long awaited introduction of an affordable turbocharged hot hatchback from Maruti Suzuki. The RS will also be the first car that will get the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine that makes over 110bhp of peak power. The Baleno RS will be available with a manual gearbox unlike some other similarly powered hatchbacks. The Baleno RS will also get a different set of wheels, a new black colour, rear disc brakes and a sporty body kit to add to the package. We also expect a slightly sportier touch to the interior to add to the sporty look. The Baleno RS will be the second car that Maruti will launch in 2017. In either late February or early March.
The Ciaz facelift will compete with the new gen Verna and Honda City facelift
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Facelift
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz has been selling in good numbers since its launch a few years ago. The new midsize sedan does have competition like the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and the updated Skoda Rapid that it has been feeling the heat from and thus Maruti will launch a facelifted version of the Ciaz in the next few months. There are also rumours of the Ciaz moving to the Nexa outlets post its facelift from the standard Maruti dealers that it is sold though as of now. This could be to further promote the Swift Dzire which will be launched before the Ciaz facelift. Expect the Ciaz to get a set of new bumpers, updated headlamps, tail lamps and a slightly updated interior along with a new body colour to differentiate it from the current version.
[“source-ndtv”]
