As Maruti Suzuki bring out a diesel variant of their successful mid-size sedan, the SX4, we test-drive it to see if the ‘man’ is still macho
Words: Gasha Aeri
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
Petrol is cheaper in Delhi than in Pune. Momos are better in Delhi than in Pune. Winters are colder and longer than in Pune and the roads are certainly wider in Delhi than in Pune. I’m sure none of these was the reason for the organisers to choose New Delhi as the venue, but these thoughts definitely crossed my mind as we were driving the Maruti Suzuki SX4 diesel for the first time in the country’s capital city.
Launched in 2007, the company’s mid-size sedan has been doing decent numbers in that segment. However, considering the sky-rocketing prices of petrol it was natural that customers would think of other alternatives such as diesel, LPG or CNG and Maruti Suzuki could ill afford to waste time in launching a diesel variant of the car, which they did, but after a gap of almost four years. This diesel mill can stand competition from well-known names like the Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna, Tata Manza and Ford Fiesta, which have been around for a considerable period of time. Maruti Suzuki will have to make sure that they do not lag behind in meeting the customers’ demands.
The SX4 diesel has the same 1,248-cc, DDiS, 16-valve DOHC unit under its hood that the company has been using on its other models like the Swift, Ritz and Dzire. Whereas the DDiS engine churned out 75 PS previously, it has now been re-tuned to deliver 90 PS in a heavier shell like the SX4. The company’s figures for power and torque read 90 PS at 4,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 1,760 rpm. The engine does a good job at the bottom end and, later, the variable geometry turbo unleashes its fury once it kicks in at the 2,000 rpm mark. The engine feels very refined and less noisy than its other diesel counterparts. Very little engine noise seeps into the cabin while the car is on the go. The gear shift of the five-speed transmission in the SX4 diesel has been changed to cable-type for a smooth shift. Short gear throws of the car also feel smooth and precise, thus making the whole task of driving pleasurable.
The claimed fuel efficiency figure stands at 21.5 km to a litre of diesel. The SX4 diesel will certainly become the highway companion for many if it delivers close to the figure it promises. Due to morning traffic madness, I was not able to exploit the full power the car had on offer, but keeping the feel of the car in mind, one can say that it will clock over 170 km/h on the speedo. Brakes are very effective to tackle those sudden surprises on city roads. The suspension feels a little on the softer side – good for city driving, but a little annoying for highway runs.
Considerable amount of body roll was also perceptible at high speed turns. A smooth drive though it was, if you turn around and look at the pull the same engine has on a comparatively lighter car like the Swift, the SX4’s bulk sure makes the response of the engine seem slower. I suppose the reason for that comes from the compromise one has to make at the bottom end power to achieve a greater thrust at the top end.
The car’s cabin feels rich with fine beige leather upholstery and good fit and finish on the dash and around. Equipped with ABS/EBD, two airbags, 16” alloys, power steering and windows and a top-notch music system as standard features from the list of many more, the car has been priced at Rs 7.74 to Rs 8.62 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
With their luxury sedan all set to make a debut in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki’s focus seems to have shifted from basic cars to more refined and comfortable ones, but without making any compromise on the economy front. Where some major international players have already created a niche in the market with their innovation and quality, an Indian workhorse like Maruti Suzuki will have to go an extra mile to earn back that glory. With the finesse that the company is showing with their latest offering, it certainly looks like a feasible task. The final verdict: men will be men.
1] The 1.3 litre DDiS performing duties in the SX4 diesel has been retuned to support the bulk of the car
2] A good car and a good weather, I got both en route the drive in Delhi
3] The ZDi badging differentiates the diesel mill from its petrol counterpart
4] A household name all these years, Maruti Suzuki has to go one step further from the competition to clinch their kingship in the segment
The sx4 diesel will certainly become the highway companion for many if it delivers good fuel economy
