Maruti Suzuki, the number one automobile manufacturers in the country and visibly dominant in the hatchback segment, have launched the Ciaz in both petrol and diesel versions. Will this car write the same success story for the company in the sedan segment? We tried to find this out during a recent drive in Rajasthan
Story: Aspi Bhathena
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
In 1983 Maruti Suzuki revolutionised the way India drove with the 800. Since then they have come a long way to become the number one car manufacturers in India. Although the company has gone on to become the biggest car-maker in the country, its success has been in the hatchback and sub-four-metre segments. In the sedan segment the Esteem was a roaring success and after that the company had to struggle to achieve adequate numbers first with the Baleno and then the SX4. Now they want to change this with the all-new Ciaz.
The Ciaz concept was first shown at the Auto Expo earlier this year. The ‘S’ logo on the chrome grille along with the swooping projector headlamps give the car a sleek and sporty look at the front. A strong shoulder-line runs along the length of the car from the projector headlamps to the rear wrap-around tail-lamps. Its 16-inch alloy wheels add to the sportiness of the Ciaz. The ornamental door belt-line, chrome door handles, front fog-lamps and the boot-lid garnished in chrome give the car a rich look.
