In a new advert for its NEXA retail chain, MSIL has teased the 2018 Maruti Ciaz which is due to launch next month. The video shows the 2018 Ciaz's redesigned LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and a new grille with chrome elements. Aside from these changes, the 2018 Ciaz will also feature new alloy wheel designs and redone front and rear bumpers.
Inside, the Hyundai Verna rival will offer customers a more premium feel with soft-touch plastics and materials, a lighter shade of faux-wood and a slight tweak in the overall interior shade. An all-new instrument cluster with a new multi-info display (similar to what is seen on the Baleno) is also expected.
Another major talking point of the 2018 Maruti Ciaz will be its all-new K15B VVT 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, which will replace the 1.4-liter unit. Where the 1.4-liter engine delivers 90 PS and 130 Nm of torque, the new 1.5-liter unit is expected to output 104.7 PS and 138 Nm. Interestingly, Maruti will also offer its smart-hybrid SHVS technology with this petrol engine, breaking its convention of reserving the technology solely for its diesel models. The Ciaz diesel though will continue with the tried-and-tested 1.3-liter DDiS unit.
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Though previous reports hinted towards an early August launch, it would appear Maruti has pushed back the launch date to the second half of August 2018. When launched, the 2018 Ciaz will rival the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Toyota Yaris, VW Vento and Skoda Rapid. Maruti will continue to retail the sedan from its NEXA outlets, which are currently offering discounts on the outgoing Ciaz to the tune of INR 85,000.
