Maruti SX4 replacement to be unveiled at the Auto Expo 2014

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Maruti Suzuki will unveil two of its important models at the Auto Expo 2014, while one is the eagerly awaited global hatchback the YL7, the second is the equally important ‘YL1’ sedan. This sedan will replace Maruti’s sluggish selling SX4 in India. The YL1 could have a completely new name altogether and may not be referred to as the SX4.

The YL7 is the new-age sedan and is Maruti’s bet on the fast growing C-Segment in India. India’s leading car maker’s new sedan will battle it out with the likes of Honda City and the Hyundai Verna in our market. In the past they have launched six sedans in India and by the high standards they set for sales just two of all the products sold here made a mark.

The YL7 is based on the Ertiga’s underpinnings, which stands on Swift’s platform and this ensures that the parts can be shared among these three cars. The YL7 might also share the powetrains with the current SX4 and might be powered by the same 1.6 VVT petrol engine; however, whether Suzuki launches its own range of large capacity diesel engines is uncertain. If at all they don’t get their own range of diesel engines, expect the YL1sedan to be powered by the ubiquitous 1.3-litre MJD diesel motor with a variable geometry turbo (VGT).

The YL7 might boast of an interior space on par with the Renault Scala and the freshly launched fourth generation Honda City. The car has been spotted testing in India several times and it looks wider, longer and as tall (if not taller) than the SX4.

It is a good move by the country’s largest carmaker to launch the YL1sedan; however it won’t be easy to snatch customers from the two best-sellers the Honda City and the Verna, they will have to match these cars both in features and specifications wise.

This is expected to be one of the most exciting cars to be unveiled at the Auto Expo 2014.