The compact sedan space just received a primed-up challenger rejuvenated to retain its position as King of the Hill, the all-new Maruti Suzuki DZire has been launched from Rs 5.45 lakh (ex-showroom).
Reloading a stronger charge for their winning contender in the sub-four-metre sedan space, Maruti Suzuki have the brought in the all-new third-gen DZire in petrol and diesel avatars. Building on an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, the best-selling compact sedan has been built on the new HearTect platform and has been redesigned from the ground up, deriving from the all-new Swift global model that will go on sale next year in India. The key visible changes are the all-new front grille with a chrome surround, sleek new angular projector headlamps with LED light signatures, and, as you move around, a swoopier double-wave body work comes to the fore while, at the rear, a set of new tail-lamp clusters with a chrome strip on the boot stamped with ‘DZire’. The car is also 40 mm wider than its predecessor and runs a wheelbase 20 mm longer. The boot now holds 378 litres. The Z trims also get 15-inch alloy wheels, with the Z+ trims getting even more special treatment.
Inside the new DZire are a slew of additions that make life easier and more comfortable on the move. From the touchscreen centre console with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and to the auto-climate with rear air vents (in the higher variants), there are changes abound. In terms of safety, ABS with EBD is being offered as standard across all variants. Dual front airbags and ISOFIX child-seat anchors are also on the list of equipment.
Powering the new DZire are a pair of familiar engines: the 1.2-litre K-series four-cylinder petrol engine with 83 PS and 113 Nm, and the 1.3-litre DDiS 190 turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 75 PS and 190 Nm. A five-speed manual does duty, with the choice of a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT, called AGS) also on offer.
The DZire is available in seven petrol and diesel variants each, priced as follows (ex-showroom, Delhi):
1.2 Petrol LXi M/T: Rs 5.45 lakh
1.2 Petrol VXi M/T: Rs 6.29 lakh
1.2 Petrol VXi AGS: Rs 6.76 lakh
1.2 Petrol ZXi M/T: Rs 7.05 lakh
1.2 Petrol ZXi AGS: Rs 7.52 lakh
1.2 Petrol ZXi+ M/T: Rs 7.94 lakh
1.2 Petrol ZXi+ AGS: Rs 8.41 lakh
1.3 Diesel LDi M/T: Rs 6.45 lakh
1.3 Diesel VDi M/T: Rs 7.29 lakh
1.3 Diesel VDi AGS: Rs 7.76 lakh
1.3 Diesel ZDi M/T: Rs 8.05 lakh
1.3 Diesel ZDi AGS: Rs 8.52 lakh
1.3 Diesel ZDi+ M/T: Rs 8.94 lakh
1.3 Diesel ZDi+ AGS: Rs 9.41 lakh
The DZire will battle the likes of the Volkswagen Ameo, Ford Figo Aspire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent and the Tata Tigor and Zest among others.
Story: Jim Gorde
