Maruti Suzuki has unveiled the next generation Dzire compact sedan for the Indian market and will launch it on May 16. Launched in 2007, this is the third generation for the car and the second one where it will be a compact sedan. It sports a new design both inside and outside and is underpinned by a new light weight platform. This is an important car for Maruti Suzuki and ahead of the official debut here are the top five highlights of the new Dzire.
New platform
This new Dzire is underpinned by a new platform which the company has dubbed Heartect. It is lightweight with the expected weight drop to be over 85kgs as compared to the outgoing model. It has also been designed to enhance passenger safety with compliance for frontal offset impact regulations. All models of the car now come fitted with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX child seat mounting points.
New design
The recent trend has been to move the compact sedans away from their hatchback siblings and this new Dzire joins the likes of the facelifted Hyundai Xcent. It sports a design similar to that of the Ciaz. There are subtle hints of chrome around the face while the tail lamps are completely new. The front is long while the stubby boot for the first time looks quite well integrated into the overall design. One of the most striking elements is the headlamps which extend all the way to the middle of the hood and in the upper models have LED DRLs.
Revised interiors and features
The cabin continues with the black and beige combination but now with the latter taking major prominence. The layout remains the same as the outgoing model but now with added features. The new list includes a flat bottom steering wheel with wood inserts, new instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay/Mirror Link and rear AC vents. The car has got taller and wider creating more space in the cabin and this combined with pre dominant beige theme should make this an airy seating experience.
AMT options across the range
This new Dzire is now available in eight manual variants and six AT variants. This basically means excluding the base LXi/LDi models all others across the range can be had with a five-speed manual or a five-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission). The move comes on the back of increased demand for a two pedal setup across both engine options. Under the hood, the Dzire continues with the 1.2-litre 83bhp petrol and 1.3-litre 75bhp diesel engines.
Competition
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire will take on the likes of the Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Ford Aspire and the Volkswagen Ameo in the B+segment of the Indian car market. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh for the top-of-the-line ZDi AGS.
