[Left - Speculative rendering of the Ritz facelift with reworked grille and triangular foglight enclosures]

We asked Mr Srivastava his thoughts on lending a cosmetic refreshment to the Ritz and upgrading the 1.2-liter K Series engine with VVT technology now found on the Swift and Dzire models to make it a worthy alternative to customers who may be put off by the long waiting periods of the Swift.

Mr Shashank Srivastava, Chief General Manager (Marketing) Maruti Suzuki -

My thought is even within the premium hatchback segment, there are clearly two types of consumers. One is the individual performance oriented customer and he’s going for the Swift and that is the largest chunk of people in this category. The Ritz is a more for a family type of customer who is looking for a tall-boy car and that segment is smaller than the Swift’s segment. I don’t foresee the Ritz as an alternative to the Swift because it caters to a different mindset of customer.

But you are right because the Ritz volume makes it the number 2 car in its category and its already catching on in terms of volumes. The large waiting periods of Swift has not reflected in any sort of cancellations. Therefore Ritz is going in its own way and doing very well. We are doing 7k-7.5 units (monthly) of late.

Regarding the question of whether to upgrade or to do some sort of a facelift (for Ritz), these plans are there across all models. The point about automobile is it takes a lot of time and we have to plan much in advance. The upgradation, as you would have seen, is planned across all models. For example we brought the new Estilo a year and half back, we bought the new Wagon R in June, we had the Alto K10..we have been changing and upgrading the products. Swift and Dzire are new, SX4 we had upgraded..our plan is very robust as far as upgradation of models is concerned and I’m sure its across all models.

We have already shown you a spyshot of the Ritz and the product looks ready for deployment. It is only a matter of when and that decision can come only from Maruti! Voids in the Ritz series that needs filling up are the ZDi variant alongside CNG technology. An automatic transmission may fit in the scheme of things as the Ritz customer is not always seeking a spirited driving performance.

Step 1 of this goal to retain marketshare is to introduce new generation cars. Step 2 is to stimulate older products, exactly the plan MSIL has in mind for the Ritz. After being spied testing in Gurgaon by our friends at Gaadi.com, we now have our in-house rendering man Shoeb Kalania using the evidence to present a mock-up of the outcome.

The styling of the new Ritz is on the same lines as that of the A-Star and the new Swift. The bonnet lines are lighter and smoother like on the A-Star. The headlamps may differ in lens arrangement but dimension wise they remain similar to the current Ritz. We would have loved to see Maruti use an eagle-eye design they presented on the XA Alpha Concept at the Delhi Expo.

The bumper is more rounded and curvier than the previous version. The grill is now embedded fully in the bumper has a whiff of the Kizashi in it. The fog lamps are nicely integrated into the bumper shaped like an elongated triangle with rounded edges.

The spy shots showed that the character line on the lower part of the doors has been removed to provide a smoother look. The rear, which the reason behind the Ritz’s lost customers may have the least differences. Maruti might redesign the tail lamps but the Boomerang rear stays behind. When Suzuki plans a sequel to the Ritz, they should evolve it to look better.

The new Ritz would draw power from the same 1.2 litre K-series engine and 1.3 Multi-jet Diesel motor. Incorporating VVT technology and tuning the engines to deliver more fuel economy is a job Maruti knows like the back of its hand.

The interiors could get an airy feel, with change in color tones and seat fabric. Don’t expect a total transformation as this is just a facelift!

[Spyshot sourced from Gaadi.com]

• New wide grill, re-designed bonnet and fog lamp housings
• Minor changes to the headlamps
• VVT technology on the KB12 motor of the Ritz
• An interior upgrade with new colors or perhaps a mildly reworked central console
• 4-speed automatic from the Dzire?

The new Ritz is likely to touch down before the festival season and serve as the immediate alternative to the high-demand Swift.

[Source - Gaadi.com]

In a bid to keep the customers walking towards showrooms, the company has started facelifting many of its existing models. Recently, the company took the wraps of a mildly revised A-Star.

Thanks to our pals at TeamBHP, we bring you a spyshot of the Ritz doing testing rounds on the old Gurgoan roads. Although the car is not running on test plates, the badges on the rear are hidden away under light camouflage.

The photographer said the front-end was camouflaged though he couldn’t manage a picture.

The Ritz (popularly known as the Splash by our international audience) was first presented to the masses at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. It was launched in India somewhere in early 2009 and is very much due for a facelift. Many of us felt Suzuki would scrap the current Ritz and built one on the new Swift’s underpinnings.

We don’t expect it to be a comprehensive facelift but just a minor nip and tuck. We do expect the VVT from the Swift to trickle down to the Ritz. A few changes to the interior coupled with some feature add-ons and perhaps an auto box is all we expect from this facelift.

[Source- www.team-bhp.com]

This suspected faulty part is the Connecting Rod Bolt. Maruti believes that only one specific batch of rod nuts was defective and hence all the cars may not need a replacement. Nonetheless, the defective nuts will be replaced free of cost.

This is Maruti’s third major recall in the past one year. The first one was for A-star in February 2010 and the second one being Alto in April 2010.

Mr Mayank Pareek Managing Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, defended the situation by saying,

We have robust production processes conforming to global standards and there is no possibility of any deviation in quality in our cars. It is a proactive measure from our side and customers should be informed.

The dealers will contact the car owners directly. But if you suspect that your car was also purchased after the specific time frame, you can check the website www.marutisuzuki.com to ascertain if your car also needs a replacement. You will need the engine number that is embossed on vehicle ID plate. Alternatively, you can contact your nearest dealer.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz World Cup Edition

When Maruti boffins realized that VW is encroaching on their ‘Special Edition’ strategy, they got very angry. And in this anger and hatred, they decided to challenge the VW Vento IPL edition. Their contender for the market – Ritz World Cup Edition (aha VW you never saw this one coming did you?)

Where the Vento only provides you with 2 stickers on the exterior, the Ritz is entirely wrapped in cricket mania. Plus, the Vento only provides you with one cricket bat and one ball. On the other hand, the Ritz comes with 2 bats, a set of pads and a helmet too! The helmet has a dual purpose – it can also be used to protect you from pedestrian abuse.

Adding to that, the Vento doesn’t come with alloys, where as the Ritz comes white alloys with grippy tires

So which one would you like to buy? VW Vento IPL Edition OR Maruti Suzuki Ritz World Cup edition

Image courtesy: Rushlane.com

Ritz Dazzle

It is just another Monday, and Maruti has another just another special edition model. What so special about it you ask? I think you know the answer – Stickers!

So far, we have lost track how many special edition models are there in Maruti’s Stable. Apart from the Eeco, Grand Vitara and Kizashi, almost every car from the portfolio has a so called ‘special edition’ version that are simple add ons at the dealer level. They are models with badges and colorful accessories.

The car in question today is the Ritz and its special edition model is called the ‘Ritz Dazzle’. Basically, it is just another Ritz with accessories worth Rs 24,000 and an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz Dazzle Limited Edition Features:

• Double Din USB MP3 Player with SD Card Support
• Security System with remote and shock sensor
• Art Leather Seat Covers
• Dual speakers for Audio system
• Body side molding
• Special body graphics
• Body colored ORVM

So if you want a Ritz that is loaded with accessories but don’t want go through a range of choices available for accessories or for that matter save money by fitting them aftermarket, SMS Ritz to 53636

Source: CarblogIndia via Burnyourfuel

Our friends at Maruti Suzuki sent us this TV commercial that will hit the small screens starting tomorrow.

According to Maruti Suzuki –

The TV Ad aims to celebrate the unique moments each Ritz owner has had in his car. Over 1 lakh Ritz models have been sold across the country and each owner has multiple memories attached to his car.

What do you think about it?

This project called 4-S (4 Sustain Electro Mobilty) will study electric cars and their infrastructure. The project will focus on electric components and will also research and develop new business models. The project is divided into 3 stages.

Stage 1 starts on November 20th and will focus on the infrastructure. Stage 2 kicks off in Spring 2011 and it will focus on the driving aspect of these vehicles by taking down all sorts of data. Stage 3 starts in fall of 2011 wherein the electric vehicles will be fitted with drive systems from the Industrial sector. The project will be carried out by company employees at Munich & Erlangen.

The inputs gained from this project will help Siemens develop new electric components. What is noteworthy is the the Suzuki Splash (Maruti Suzuki Ritz) forms the bases of this project. The Splash is the one that has gone electric and will be tested by Siemens employees.

Source – Siemens

We quite like the way the Maruti Ritz rolls. We love the driver’s seat placement, it provides great all-round visibility and makes you feel like you’re in a mini SUV. Its easy to access rear bench and the really impressive K-Series engine are other things I can pickup on to laud this hatchback. The Multi-jet diesel only makes the package sweeter. This surely is a car that we’d spend our money on.

What we’re not sure about is why Maruti would celebrate the Ritz’ birthday in August (it’s almost September) considering it was launched last year in May. In Hindu tradition, you have a star birthday, which falls on a different date as to the “English birthday” where you go out with your friends to celebrate by drinking beer and partying hard into the night like anyone else would.

So has the Ritz taken to Hinduism? Or have the chaps at Maruti, busy launching new models and celebrating milestones, simply forgot to wish the Ritz a happy b’day?

Whichever the case maybe, the special edition Ritz Genus is out there in showrooms, a few thousands will be made and here are the features

* Keyless entry
* Tilt steering
* Parcel tray
* Distinct Body graphics
* Rear wash and wiper
* Radio + CD player with speaker
* Body side moldings
* Dual tone dashboard

Maruti Ritz Genus Image Gallery