Van is a family vehicle in American parlance. The multi-purpose vehicles are supposed to carry an entire family and their picnic gear. The MPVs stayed that way in India too. They are just about enough for extended families and alluringly roomy for small families. No wonder they make great taxis.
MPVs belong to two categories. The variant with the larger engine comes with a bigger price tag. Think Toyota Innova. They are spacious, strong and luxurious.
The second category belongs to Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The vehicles in this class come with a smaller engine, excellent fuel efficiency and enough space. They are cheaper too.
India's largest-selling MPV, Maruti Ertiga, has just been revamped. The model unveiled in the Jakarta Motor Show in Indonesia will roll into Indian roads in October. What is in store for Ertiga fans? Here's a peek.
It's about style
The second-generation Ertiga is all about style. It comes with a new platform. It looks bigger than its former avatar. Its front and the novel grill looks bigger. The LED daytime running lamp and the projector headlamp add to the charms. The shoulder line and body line give Ertiga a muscular look. The C pillars are almost like Innova Crysta's.
The new Ertiga has the same platform as Ignis, Dzire, Baleno and Swift. This tested platform is lighter yet stronger.
Ertiga is definitely bigger. It is 99 millimetre longer and 40 millimetre broader than its predecessor. The wheelbase is the same at 2,740 millimetre. The hugeness translates to more space in the second and third rows. Ertiga stands apart in its class with the spacious legroom in the third row.
It's pampered
The new Ertiga is a class apart when you get into it. It has the look and features of a luxury sedan. The flat bottom steering wheel that you have seen in Swift and Dzire, the newlook A/C vents, the 6.8 inch touchscreen infotainment system and the cooled glove box are definite attractions.
The Indian offering may come with automatic climate control too.
The new K 15B petrol engine comes with 104 Bhp. The makers promise mileage of 18.06 kilometres per litre.
Though the diesel variant initially comes with a 1.3 litre engine, the 1.5 litre engine might follow soon.
The new-look Ertiga is set to hit the market in October. Maruti is likely to keep the old Ertiga in the market because it is a hit with taxi drivers.
