Maruti Suzuki reveals third-generation Dzire compact sedan

Three weeks before the official launch of its new Dzire, Maruti Suzuki India today took the covers off the latest iteration of its best-selling sedan. Based on the fifth-generation B-platform, christened 'HEARTECT', which also spawns the new Suzuki Swift hatchback, the new Dzire will replace the outgoing model on May 16.

The new Dzire comes with significant changes all around, including the name tag which now drops the 'Swift' prefix. What sets the new Dzire apart from the earlier car is the fact that it isn’t half as compromised a design.

Targeted more at the owner drivers rather than fleet operators, it is a car that is much nicer to look at. The profile, to begin with, is several times more attractive and well balanced. There’s a nice flow to the bonnet and fenders, the windscreens and the roof blend into a uniform arch and the strong shoulder line and the compact boot give it plenty of definition. Even the rear is better integrated and looks less chopped.

Despite having the same 3995mm length, the car grows in wheelbase by 20mm, enabling increased legroom, both in front and at the rear. Overall proportions see an increased width at 1735mm (+40mm) and a slightly lowered height by 40mm, now at 1515mm. 

In terms of exterior styling, the engineers at Maruti Suzuki set out to enhance the aspirational value of the Dzire brand, which has already sold over 1.3 million units since it was first launched in 2008. 

Up front, the latest Maruti gets a protruding nose with chrome out-lining. It is flanked on either sides by sharper automatic headlamps, which now come with LED projectors and integrated DRLs. 

The front overhang has been cut short from the outgoing car  to liberate more space on the inside and in the boot, which has grown 60 litres in capacity to now offer a total volume of 376 litres.

The side profile benefits from a swooping A-pillar, which is now body coloured, as well as a subtle and distinctive shoulder line, emerging from the edge of the headlamp, flowing across the doors and merging seamlessly into the rear quarter panel. 

This drastically enhances the overall visual appeal of the car and makes it look more elegant and one, positioned more as a complete sedan. According to Maruti, it aims to retain and woo its major target audience, 44 percent of which includes business owners, salaried professionals and those with small families, under the age of 35 years. 

The top-end Z and Z+ trims will also feature 15-inch precision cut two-tone alloy wheels. The car will see a total of six paint shades to be offered now, with Oxford Blue, Sherwood Brown and Gallant Red making their presence into the shade card for the first time. 

What's inside?
On the inside, the car sees generous use of beige, with the entire upholstery and door panels carrying the preferred shade in the C1 segment. With the added width, the cabin now goes on to offer 20mm more shoulder room at the front, which is slightly better in the rear, at being 30mm more. 

The dashboard is completely new and is done in black and beige, along with carrying 'satin chrome' garnish at various places. What catches the eye are the completely new leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, with faux wood touch at its base and the Smartphone Linkage Display Audio (SLDA) touch-screen infotainment system at the centre of the dashboard, which supports Apple CarPlay, as well as Android Auto.

The instrument cluster is driver-oriented and boasts brand-new dials, which look extremely contemporary and sportier too. Maruti has also incorporated rear AC vents, which come into the Dzire for the very first time and are possibly going to be very well appreciated from buyers. 

High on safety, light in weight
The new Dzire sees extensive use of ultra high tensile and high tensile grade steels, making it safer and conforming to the upcoming BNCAP crash norms, which mandate new models to adhere to such standards from November 2017. 

The compact sedan is high on safety. Maruti has made ABS with EBD, dual airbags, seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and rear ISOFIX tethers and anchors as part of the standard safety kit on offer across all 14 variants.

New looks, same power
The new Dzire will continue to come powered by the same 1.2-litre K-series motor, which produces 88bhp and the ubiquitous 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced diesel engine, which develops 75bhp of power. 

Transmission options, however, include a 5-speed manual, as well as an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), also called Auto Gear Shift (AGS) in Maruti-speak, on both the petrol as well as the diesel engines from the 'V' trim onwards. 

The new Dzire will go head to head with the Honda Amaze,  Figo Aspire,  Tata Zest and the Volkswagen Ameo. Expect keen pricing from Maruti for its big-selling compact sedan, with prices starting not too different from the current model, somewhere in the range of Rs 5.5-10.8 lakh. Watch this space for more on the new Dzire.

NEW DZIRE VARIANTS

Maruti Dzire petrol
Lxi (MT only)
Vxi (MT and AMT)
Zxi (MT and AMT)
Zxi+ (MT and AMT)

Maruti Dzire diesel
Ldi (MT only)
Vdi (MT and AMT)
Zdi (MT and AMT)
Zdi+ (MT and AMT)

RECOMMENDED READING & VIEWING: 

Maruti keen on positioning new Dzire as a 'true' sedan 

New Dzire picture gallery

New Dzire walk-around video