Customers in Tier 1 cities slowly embracing convenience of an automatic.
Sources have confirmed to Indian Autos Blog that the Maruti Swift series (hatchback or the Swift Dzire compact sedan) will receive the low-cost, yet convenient AMT technology this financial year.
The technology, dubbed by Maruti as 'AGS' (Auto Gear Shift), was introduced on the Celerio and Alto K10 last year, and will be seen on the Wagon R next, in the coming days. Post the Wagon R, Maruti will roll out the AMT on its popular Swift model(s) within this financial year, but unlikely this calendar year, a person in the know said.
"Plenty of buyers in Tier 1 cities have opted for our AGS technology on the Celerio and Alto K10, and the Wagon R will further cater to these buyers. But the company feels its missing out in the mid-segment", the person said.
The Swift has always been offered only with a 5-speed manual transmission in India, though on the second generation Dzire, Maruti offers a 4-speed automatic gearbox on the VXi variant. New launches from rival carmakers have also highlighted the importance of an automatic gearbox. In the Dzire's segment, the Figo Aspire gets a modern 6-speed dual-clutch Powershift transmission, the Amaze features a conventional 5-speed AT, whereas the Zest offers a 5-speed AMT with a diesel engine.
Also read: Maruti S-Cross - First Drive Review
Spyshots have shown the Dzire diesel on test with an AMT gearbox, hinting that Maruti would combine the affordable technology with the fuel-efficient DDiS diesel engine. At 26.59 km/l, the Dzire diesel is the most fuel efficient in its class.
[Spyshot from GaadiWaadi]
