The name Maruti reminds every Indian of two iconic cars. One is the public’s all-time favourite, the Maruti 800, and the other one is Maruti Swift. This does not mean that all other cars from the company’s stable are of no relevance, but only emphasizes the important role these models played in altering the industry mechanics and setting it in a new direction.
While the Maruti 800 was the first true all-in-one car, in a sense that it was affordable, low on maintenance and had high fuel efficiency, the Swift debuted years later, giving out a loud and clear message that luxury and performance can be made available in small cars as well. In the history of automobiles, the successful Indo-Japanese joint venture called Maruti Suzuki will always be remembered for these two cars.
People still remember how the Maruti 800 sparked an automobile revolution of sorts in the country, where the only available popular brands then were Hindustan Motors’ Ambassador and Premier Padmini. Though the 800 was smaller in size, it was miles ahead of its competitors in terms of technology and durability, apart from being substantially low on maintenance. It was Maruti 800, the small car which sparked a rapid revolution in the Indian automobile industry that made cars affordable to the masses, which is continuing till date.
After the Maruti 800 set the Indian automobile industry in a steep upward trajectory, the Swift arrived years later as a premium hatchback. The Swift dispelled the notion that hatchback cars had to have only bare minimum comforts within the cabin like in the 800’s. The Swift was the first compact car in India to offer good interiors and pulsating engine performance. The Swift continues to do just that even today. Now the Swift Dzire is out after undergoing an extensive makeover.
The Dzire took birth when the hatchback Swift was slightly extended to add a boot to it. The Dzire, with its added storage space, sold like hot cakes. Even competitors from other Japanese manufacturers have not been able to catch up with Maruti Dzire’s massive success. The Dzire now arrives after undergoing a timely facelift.
Into the test drive report of the latest Dzire
The Design
Most changes are only skin deep and the body shell has been left untouched, but the look of the car has changed from its previous version thanks to the new radiator grill. The new chromium grill is not like the ones seen in other Maruti cars but is more like the ones seen generally in Honda cars. Other major changes include motion-theme alloy wheels that give out a visual feel of the vehicle’s speed and newly designed halogen headlamps.
The chrome decoration below the fog lamps at the front of the vehicle brings the Swift Dzire closer to luxury cars in terms of looks. Wing mirrors can not only be adjusted from the cabin but also be folded, while the reverse parking sensors make parking in tight spots a tension-free affair.
The new Dzire is available in five shades apart from white and silver. The car is available in cave black, pacific blue, magma grey, alp blue and sangria red. Once inside the car, you see the same familiar black, beige and chromium theme. New features include push button start, Bluetooth audio system, Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel, map-lamps for the front row passengers and charging sockets for rear passengers. Parts of the dashboard are done up in wood and the interior of the Swift Dzire can match that of any other premium car.
Behind the Wheel
The Dzire comes with two engine options. The petrol version comes with the 1.2 litre K-series engine while the diesel has the 1.3-litre Fiat multi-jet engine at its heart. Both the engines have been tuned to offer good performance and fuel efficiency. The diesel version returns a fuel average of 26.59 kilometres per litre while the petrol one clocks 20.85 kilometres per litre.
While the diesel Dzire is a step ahead of the petrol in terms of performance, the latter offers smoother driving. One should go for the diesel version only if the average distance covered in a month is more than 10,000 kilometres. Only the petrol Dzire is available in automatic version, which returns 18.5 kilometres per litre of fuel. One can go for the automatic Dzire if the car is to be used predominantly within the city.
Both handling and drivability continue to be top notch in the latest Dzire. A low turning radius of 4.8 metres, a light steering and clutch and a crisp gearbox retain the Swift’s tag of a fun-to-drive car. The braking power has considerably improved The length of the vehicle is under four metres and it is a boon at parking lots. As a family car, the Dzire gets a full ten on ten.
Prices
Petrol Rs 5.32-7.03 lakh
Diesel – Rs 6.56-8.06 lakh (Ex-showroom)
Test Drive - 8086078753