A camouflaged prototype of the Maruti Ciaz was spotted testing in Gurgaon by a reader of CarWale.com. The C-segment sedan was presented as a study at the 2014 Auto Expo. Maruti has not announced production plans, but sources confirm that the vehicle will be in the marketplace in the second half of the year, replacing the slow-selling SX4.
Codenamed YL1, the vehicle was previewed for the first time at Auto Shanghai last year as the Suzuki Authentics Concept. The production version's patent filing was leaked this week which confirms that the design is a close match to the concept. The trapezoidal grille and headlamps are similar, but limitations in manufacturing them at a price has caused them to look ordinary. Suzuki have also modified the concept's bumper, side mirror, wheels and the taillight to achieve a lower cost of manufacturing.
Past spyshots show a solidly built cabin with features like Bluetooth enabled audio, climate control, steering mounted audio buttons, rear AC vents and beige trim.
On this car, Maruti can deploy either the currently serving 1.6L petrol motor paired to an optional automatic transmission, or fit the Ertiga's more fuel efficient 1.4L K Series motor, which can come with an AMT option. The diesel engine could either be a Fiat engine (1.3L or 1.6L Multijet) or Maruti's own 1.6L mill that is said to be under development.
If not available at the time of launch, Maruti could introduce its homemade diesel motor in the coming years, as they did with the current SX4.
[Source - CarWale.com]
