IAB Picks - 6 new Maruti products coming by end of this fiscal year

27/09/2014 - 14:53 | Maruti Swift, Maruti Alto K10, Maruti Dzire, Maruti Celerio, Maruti Ciaz, Maruti SX4 S-Cross, Maruti Y9T, Maruti Suzuki, Picks | Anjan Ravi

This calendar year, Maruti's lone new offering was the Celerio. Where arch rival Hyundai have launched two new all-products in high volume segments (Xcent and Elite i20), Maruti has remained relatively quiet.

All that is about to change though, as Indian Autos Blog learns that half a dozen launches are planned for the remaining part of this financial year (ends on March 31, 2015).

1. Maruti Ciaz

Maruti Ciaz press shots top — The Ciaz is India's most fuel efficient car.

The Ciaz is due to launch on October 10 (tentative), and will kickstart the festive season celebrations for the brand. Set to rival the Honda City, the Ciaz will be offered with a 1.4-liter petrol engine and a 1.3-liter diesel engine. Pre-launch bookings for the sedan were initiated on September 3, and the company has already received between 5,000 to 10,000 orders.

2. Maruti Swift Facelift

The B-hatchback segment in India has seen plenty of action this year with new launches like the Avventura, Elite i20 and refreshed Polo. Going forth, new products like the Jazz and Bolt are further expected to ruffle the feathers of the Swift.

Suzuki Swift facelift front three quarters at the 2014 Moscow Motor Show — The new Swift was spotted again in India recently. [Image - Swift facelift at Moscow Show 2014]

Keeping this in mind, the segment leader will undergo a minor facelift getting new features like LED daytime running lights, new alloy wheels, power folding wing mirrors and an engine starter button. The refreshed Swift is due to launch by end of this year.

3. Maruti Swift Dzire Facelift

2014 Maruti Dzire facelift rendering — Production of the refreshed Dzire too has reportedly started.

For the Dzire, Maruti will include new features like power-folding wing mirrors and keyless entry with an engine starter button like the refreshed Swift. That aside, new alloy wheel patterns and tinted headlights with a chrome grille will also be seen on the compact sedan. Production is well underway, and a launch is expected shortly.

4. New Maruti Alto K10

Maruti Alto 800 facelift IAB rendering revised — The new K10 will get the AMT system.

The new K10 will use the Alto 800's body, though its peppy 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine will continue unchanged. It will however, stand to benefit from the automated manual transmission (AMT) seen on the Celerio, and revised interiors. Like the Dzire, Maruti has already started making the new K10, and a launch should take place by end of this year.

5. Maruti SX4 S-Cross

New Suzuki SX4 at the 2014 Moscow Motor Show front quarter — The S-Cross could get an engine larger than the 1.3L unit used on other Marutis.

Set to launch early next year, the S-Cross will take on the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Mahindra Scorpio. The compact crossover from Maruti will get power from petrol and diesel engines, and a CNG option is also under consideration.

6. Maruti Y9T LCV

Suzuki Carry rear three quarters at Tokyo Motor Show — The Y9T will rival the Tata Ace. Image of the Suzuki Carry from Japan used for illustration.

Maruti's foray into the commercial segment is important from the technology perspective as the Y9T (codename) will be powered by the company's first self-developed diesel engine. The reported 800 cc two-cylinder unit will later find application in small passenger cars like the Celerio. The Ace-rivaling Y9T is expected to launch next calendar year.

7. Maruti Celerio Diesel

The Celerio diesel will be the first passenger vehicle from Maruti Suzuki to use the self-developed diesel engine. A prototype of the Celerio diesel was spotted in Japan last month, and Indian road tests are being conducted as well. Expect the Celerio diesel, which launches by end of this financial year, to deliver class-leading efficiency.