Maruti’s Next Small Car for Us - Splash
January 12, 2008 – 8:06 am by Ashish Jha
Yes, Tata has been all over the place and everyone has been concentrating towards their offerings, primarily the people’s car – Nano. But what about the auto maker which brought about this revolution over 20 years back? Maruti’s presence in the Auto Expo ’08 cannot be discounted despite the fact that the hype around the Nano is surely something that has taken a toll on other exhibitors.
What has been in the talks for quite a while has been displayed as a concept car for now, but it looks production ready, well, almost! The Splash, as you may recall, has already been reported by CarWale as the next big offering in the compact car segment that we might see from India’s largest passenger car maker. Revealed at the inaugural function were the plans of launching the Splash in the European market by as early as Spring ’08. So what it means to Indians is only but understood naturally.
Splash, according to Suzuki, is based on a theme and the theme is ‘Family’. Suzuki targets numbers as high as 60,000 units per year for the European market. The car will be manufactured in Hungary, but it was added that Suzuki might start production of the Splash here in India too, to cater to the markets this side of the world. The Japanese major chose the name Splash for the car to “signify its desire to create a new sensation. Its vivid sound creates a sense of expectation and conveys a sense of freshness and youthfulness.” Wow! What a statement. I was speechless and had a dropped jaw after hearing this.
What is impressive though is the fact that the genesis of the Splash platform is the Suzuki Swift. The development of the car was carried out in Germany, Spain and UK where the designers subjected the Splash to extensive testing to optimize the suspension, steering and tyres to ensure a comfortable drive. How much has it helped to cope with the Indian conditions remains to be seen. But Suzuki’s pragmatic approach towards India and their stay of over two decades will help them carry out necessary modifications to suit Indian roads.
At first sight, the Splash really comes across as a dynamic design. Despite being close to 1600mm tall, it does not look awkward. The roof line falls seamlessly into the practically vertical tail gate. When viewed, the rear three-quarter is the best angle which gives a proper definition to the whole design. The front end is near perfect for a small car with large and sharp headlamps. What stands out though is a shocking resemblance of the grille to that of the Grande Punto’s. The prominent wheel arches do their bit to add a dynamic look overall and even makes the car look a bit sporty.
The interior is equally funky. Practical and energetic are the words that come to your mind when you see the car from inside. The car on display had a blue theme on the dashboard while the centre console was outlined with a brushed aluminum finish. The dash extending to the windscreen could have been better utilized by making it a little accommodating for small items, but in its current form, the flowing curve does not allow for such practicality. There is useful storage tray just above the glove box though. The knobs and buttons are flush-fitted into the centre console but there is a little bit of Swift and SX4 about the way the dash looks. The gearlever is mounted on the centre console too. This architecture is increasingly becoming a fashion statement as well as a norm for a lot of cars. Not that we are complaining! With a wheel base of 2360mm, expect the car to be as spacious, if not better than its rivals.
There will be a choice of three to four engines with the Splash. A 1.0L, 65PS petrol engine that currently does duty on Wagon-R and Zen Estilo, a 1.2L, four cylinder petrol engine capable of producing 86PS and a 1.3L, 75PS diesel engine (DDiS) that is available in the Swift currently. What is interesting to note is that the diesel engine will be manufactured at the Manesar plant of Maruti-Suzuki.
Maruti has started offering very good VFM offerings and the SX4 stands tall as a testimony to that. Expect the Splash to come equipped with all the safety features like energy-dispersing frame, airbags, ABS and brake assist in addition to electronic brake force distribution. Electronic stability program might also be offered. But all this will surely attract quite a premium for sure. By the looks of it, the Splash presents itself as yet another practical and ideal compact car. Let us hope it comes here with not much modifications made to it. Amen.
Quick Specs:
Length: 3715mm
Width: 1680mm
Height: 1590
Wheelbase: 2360mm
Engine: 1.0L petrol; 1.2L petrol; 1.3L diesel
Power: 65PS; 86PS; 75PS
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48 Responses to “Maruti’s Next Small Car for Us - Splash”
hey its great car…..its good substitute for wagonR and best in 1.1 segment i thing till now….also good choice may be for 1.3ddic diesel…..but how many days we have to wait for thsi baby…
By Kaushik Basak on Jan 13, 2008
I want to know the price of the car. And this is fabulas car which is already spnning in my mind.
By Uttam Ray on Jan 14, 2008
splash i think its not a good car compare to A Star its my advice to maruti udyog that pls dont launch this car if ull launch this car ull be disappointed
By ankit on Jan 14, 2008
Any idea about price tag it may gonna have in India?
By aryan on Jan 16, 2008
The Splash will be offered in the same price bracket that the Wagon-R and Zen Estilo are currently being offered at. The launch though is speculated to happen by mid 2008.
By Ashish Jha on Jan 18, 2008
What would be the expected price of this
By Abhishek on Jan 18, 2008
Hi,
excited to know the price of the car. And cann’t wait anymore.
By Swapan Dey on Jan 19, 2008
I want know when it will launched in BANGALORE (KARANATAKA), What wil the on Road price.
By R.Devaraj on Jan 22, 2008
WHAT PRICE WILL IT COST ON ROAD ?
By PARAS on Jan 23, 2008
I loved dis car ,i wanna know that when will this car launch in india and what will be the price range.Pls tell me as soon as u can because i am planning to buy this car
By jasmer on Jan 25, 2008
Hallooo..its best car for home dilievery and to small and cheaper also.we have Indien Restaurent with pizza homeservice and our others also…..have.may we Import in Germany for us and serve our other friends.please send me all details per Email as soon as possible.when avaible,allexpenses till germany and I like open your Auto showroom in Germany.
Thanks with bestwishing
Balkar Singh deol
Post Fach 2305
72013 Germany
+4917623213968
By balkar singh deol on Jan 26, 2008
its realy good & i m speaklesssss
By khaleel on Jan 27, 2008
its a fabulus car which can give more speed to the people
By nikunj on Jan 28, 2008
I want to know the price of the car. And this is fabulas car which is already spnning in my mind.
when a plash launch in india?
By yogesh shukla on Jan 29, 2008
Well what would be the price? and fuel efficiency? This is what matters in todays market……….Consumers are now thinking for the above!!
By madhukar on Jan 30, 2008
Nice car but when it will be available in the market
By Sandeep on Jan 31, 2008
I just want to know the price of the car because after reding the entite thing one thingme in mind is the price.
By anitdutta on Feb 11, 2008
Vow,
These two cars are great.I like both a-star and sPLASH.I want the Maruthi Suzuki Management to launch these two cars in India at the earliest.Be Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast .
Keep it up.
Regards,
S.Pazhani.
By pazhani on Feb 14, 2008
When is it expected to be on road in India?
By Rohan on Feb 18, 2008
what is the price of splash
By vikas on Feb 26, 2008
Hi,
Expect this car to be in the price tag of Wagon R and Estillo.There are a few reasons for this.
a) If the price is in the same or near bracket of Swift, The sales of swift might be affected.
b) Maruti might think of Replacing the Wagon R with SPLASH.So Price tag will be the same as the Wagon R or Slightly higher.
c) Expect lots of safety features in the Estillo Soon.Such as Airbags ABS etc.
My expectation is Will SPLASH be launched with an Auto Transmission varient?????
If so,it will be a good choice for hectic city traffic in the Metros.
By Benny on Feb 28, 2008
what is the price of the splash
By vinny on Mar 2, 2008
itz really agreat car i would like to buy this car,as soon as possible.and also i want to know the prize of the car.
By irfan mattoo on Mar 4, 2008
maruti has disspointed me by this car!
By abhishek on Mar 5, 2008
SPLASH COULD BE CHALLENGING FOR TATA’S SMALL CAR.AS I HOPE IT WILL BE A FAILURE,AND TATA’S ARE NOT MAKING PROFIT OUT OF IT, BUT WANT TO CREATE THE MAONOPOLY.
By ARJUN JADHAV on Apr 9, 2008
SPLASH COULD BE CHALLENGING FOR TATA’S SMALL CAR.AS I HOPE IT WILL BE A FAILURE,AND TATA’S ARE NOT MAKING PROFIT OUT OF IT, BUT WANT TO CREATE THE MONOPOLY.
By ARJUN JADHAV on Apr 9, 2008
what is the price of the splash ?
By PROBIR MUKHOPADHYAY on Apr 22, 2008
the splash car is awesome. i am waiting for the time when the maruti splash will be seen on mumbai roads
By ruchi on May 9, 2008
to
maruthi udyog limited
plz lounch the car as soon as possible . we people are waitng to see that beauty.
By khaleel on May 22, 2008
i want 2 knw wen the splash is gng to splash the market, as i am waitng to buy it..
By apar on May 31, 2008
when splash is expected and at what price..
By abhishek shukla on Jun 20, 2008
by seeing this i can wait for some more time to bye it.when it would be in market?will feel glad to drive this
By soumya choudhary on Jun 22, 2008
When will A-Star launches in Indian market? Price range? Milaege?
By Sini on Jun 23, 2008
pls keep the price of splash between wagon r & i10.
By manish on Jul 3, 2008
i10 diesel and V3 are probably launching By Oct’08,which will eat out a big market share prior to Splash’launch. Maruti is mum on the date of launch, so who you are praying for the launch? Beige interiors not assured,price still not on the board.
By Subrata on Jul 4, 2008
Currently using M800 in India its really gr8 to hear that Maruti Suzuki is launching their new models but would like to know WHEN??? And yes i like SWIFT Diesel a lot…….So will be waiting Thanks & wishing Best Of Luck
By Dipen Upadhyay on Jul 5, 2008
splash a dreaming car
By sandeep padda on Jul 8, 2008
Pls give price details of A star
By Rajagopal on Jul 24, 2008
when splash and astar launch?till diwali ?i am waiting for buying till diwali
By DEVENDRA GAJJAR on Aug 13, 2008
This car will launch in the month of october.
By RAKESH on Aug 16, 2008
when a-star’s booking start
By sukhwinder on Oct 6, 2008
r u sure it will come in Jan2009 . and can you compare it with hyundai i10 kappa
which will be better
economical, fuel efficent, & low maintenance
By engineer on Dec 24, 2008
when splash launch in india ? pls give me the price details of splash diesel.
By narinder on Jan 5, 2009
Iwant to know the price of splash diesel.and when splash launch.
By narinder on Jan 6, 2009
i want to know the price of splash diesal and when splash lounch in india.
By gurpal on Mar 23, 2009
Maruti is great. Any body can tell quite more about that car with some more picture?
By Suman Biswas on Apr 29, 2009
Оригинальная идея. Только вот интересно сколько время на это потрачено?
By Иван Иванов on May 31, 2009
Hi
when can we execpt on roads & what will be price , a middleclass person affort this or not.
By kondal rao b on Jun 17, 2009