New Maruti Dzire Not to Cater to Taxi Segment

The largest carmaker in India wants to differentiate the private and commercial segments going forward

The new Maruti Dzire has been launched in India recently but it won’t be available for taxi operators. We know that the Dzire has been able to achieve immense success in our market. It has already sold upwards of 26 lakh units making it the highest-selling sedan in the country. That sales milestone included significant contributions from individuals, as well as fleet operators. Going forward, the biggest auto giant in India will bifurcate its sales between private and commercial spaces offering the new model to regular buyers and the old-gen model to the taxi drivers.

New Maruti Dzire Won’t Be A Taxi

During the launch ceremony of the 4th-generation Maruti Dzire, the CEO of Maruti Swift India, Hisashi Takeuchi, said, “We are targeting the private buyer (with the new Dzire). So, we will introduce this car to private buyers and keep selling the previous generation to the fleet segment. That’s how we will differentiate both the markets (hereon).” This is a clear strategy that Maruti Suzuki plans to adopt going forward. The old generation model will be the only option the fleet operators will be left with from now on. We will have to see how this affects the overall sales of the Dzire.

New Maruti Dzire

Maruti Suzuki has done a commendable job on the Dzire to ensure that it detaches itself from any similarities, in terms of aesthetics, from either the latest Swift or the outgoing Dzire. Therefore, it bears a completely modern appearance in its current avatar. This is visible from the front fascia with new LED headlamps, a broad grille, along with a sporty bumper in addition to the arrow-inspired LED taillamps with a thick chrome slab at the rear. Even on the inside, the list of features is rather extensive. The main highlights include:

• Electric Sunroof (first-in-segment)
• Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel with Multimedia Controls
• Physical Toggle Switches for HVAC
• Push Button Start/Stop
• Large Touchscreen Infotainment Display
• Electronic Stability Control
• Cruise Control
• Semi-Digital Instrument Cluster
• Connected Car Tech
• Wireless Charging
• Multiple USB Charging Ports for Front and Rear
• Brushed Metal Inserts on Door Panels
• Rear AC Vents
• Textured Dashboard
• 6 Airbags
• ABS with EBD
• 360-degree Camera (first-in-segment)

Under its hood, you will find the same engine as the latest Swift. This means that it draws power from a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z12E naturally aspirated petrol engine with mild hybrid technology making a decent 82 PS and 112 Nm of peak power and torque. The transmission duties are carried out by a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox. What is impressive is the mileage figure of 24.79 km/l with the manual and 25.71 km/l with the AMT. There is also a CNG mill which makes 70 PS and 102 Nm with a mileage of a jaw-dropping 33.73 km/kg. The prices range from Rs 6.79 lakh to Rs 10.14 lakh, ex-showroom.

Also Read: New Maruti Dzire Base Model Detailed on Tape