Indian car maker Maruti Suzuki has unveiled two global models for different segments on the inaugural day of the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, Executive Vice President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan and Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited unveiled the Concept Ciaz and SX4 S-Cross jointly to showcase there preparedness for the future.
On the occasion Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, Executive Vice President, Suzuki Motor Corporation said, “The two cars that we unveil today follow the footsteps of the iconic Suzuki Swift. These models are designed to meet the varied requirements of discerning customers around the world.While the SX4 S-Cross is a real crossover with authentic performance, the Concept CIAZ is designed to meet the growing demand in C-Segment market in India, China and elsewhere.”
Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Concept CIAZ and SX4 S-Cross are two premium segment global offerings. This rich line up will strengthen our product portfolio and prepare us for the future. The vehicles that you see here today reflect our thought and belief. If you like them, they may be amongst you on the Indian roads, in future. As a customer, your right judgment has guided us over the past 3 decades. We promise to bring exciting and relevant products, as you need them.”
2014 Maruti Suzuki Concept Ciaz
The concept Ciaz (pronounced as: chi-aaz), previews a possible future C-segment sedan which will replace the SX4 and take on the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna among others. The production car based on the Maruti Suzuki Concept Ciaz will be launched sometime in end 2014 or early 2015.
Price
The production variant of the Concept Ciaz will have to priced pretty competitively to be able to take on the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna and we expect it to be priced between Rs. 7 – 10 Lakh, ex-showroom Delhi
[box type=”info” width=”720″ ]The production variant based on the Ciaz Concept has been spotted, check it out here[/box]
The production variant of the Maruti Suzuki Concept Ciaz will get many of the styling cues that debuted in the concept car. This should include the grille, the headlamp design, general siloutte, rear-lamps etc. The new sedan will be as long as the Ciaz, which should mean more space inside. Maruti also claims that the sedan will be high on features and will have all, if not more equipment that it’s competition offers. Expect the car to have more ground clearance than the concept though, as the concept is too low for Indian road conditions.
Walk-around Video Review
Maruti says that the production variant of Concept Ciaz will get two power options, a 1.4-litre K-Series petrol engine similar to the one found on the Ertiga MPV and a 1.6-litre diesel engine sourced from Fiat. Along with a manual transmission, expect Maruti to also offer an automated-manual transmission. The popularity of cheap semi-automatic gearboxes is increasing and we expect Maruti to introduce the same across it’s new range of cars.
Check out more photos below:
[box type=”info” width=”720″ ]Check out our complete Auto Expo 2014 coverage here[/box]
2014 Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
Maruti Suzuki has unveiled the SX4 S-Cross at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. The S-Cross could be Maruti’s next contender in the compact SUV / crossover segment, the Ertiga did well for the company in the MUV segment and Maruti hopes that the SX4 S-Cross will replicate the same. Essentially a wagon version of the new-generation SX4, the S-Cross is raised and gets body cladding for the ‘tougher’ look that is expected from a crossover.
Price
If launched, the Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is expected to be priced between Rs. 6 – 9 Lakh.
Styling
Styling wise, the S-Cross is essentially the next generation of the current SX4 sold in India. The headlamps, fog lamps, grille, tail-lamps, bumpers, wheels are all new. The silhouette of the crossover is similar to the current car, though there are a lot of changes made to the design. The sharply rising window-line of the previous car has been replaced, the front quarter glass is smaller, there is a new bonnet among other changes. There is a lot of chrome bits all around the car including the grille, on the bumper, fog lamp surrounds, external door handles, door moulding, and rear hatch.
Inside, there is a whole new centre console, with a touch-screen multimedia system, automatic climate system controls. The three-spoke steering wheel with multiple control-buttons is all new. The interiors are very spacious, thanks to the extended wheelbase. The crossover also features a panoramic sunroof, which makes the airy cabin even more airy.
Video: Walk-around Review
Features
The SX4 S-Cross is feature rich, including stuff like start-stop function, cruise control, bluetooth connectivity with calling etc. The car does get an all wheel drive system and drive mode select for better traction on different road conditions.
Engine and drivetrain options have not been revealed, though the crossover will feature a AWD system.
[box type=”info” ]Also read- Maruti SX4 S-Cross VS Ford EcoSport Comparison[/box]
