Maruti cuts both price and size for new Swift Dzire

Targeting the urban customer with its second new model to be rolled out within six months after the all-new Swift, Maruti Suzuki India has priced its new compact saloon, the new Swift Dzire, Rs 25,000-30,000 below the current model. Maruti has an introductory starting price of Rs 4.79 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Available in both petrol and diesel engine options, the new sub-4-metre Dzire will also be offered as a four-speed automatic petrol variant. The base petrol (LXi) is priced at Rs 4.79 lakh, rising up to Rs 6.19 lakh for the top-end ZXi variant. The automatic is only available in the VXi variant, retailing at Rs 6.54 lakh. Similarly, for the diesel version, the base variant is for Rs 5.80 lakh and the top-end for Rs 7.09 lakh.

The new Dzire compact saloon is quite different from the car it replaces. At 3995mm, it is 165mm shorter than the existing saloon and qualifies for excise duty benefits available to sub-4-metre cars. This has resulted in an extremely short boot, and a more notchback-like look as opposed to a proper saloon. The boot space, at 316 litres, is a whole size down on the old car, but is large enough to hold the weekend’s luggage. The second-generation Dzire, however, is now wider by 5mm (1695mm), taller (1555mm) and has a larger 2430mm wheeler ( up 40mm) contributing to vehicle stability.

Speaking at the launch in New Delhi on February 1, Shinzo Nakanishi, MD and CEO, said that over 150 changes have been effected in the new Swift Dzire that shares the new Swift’s platform. Furthermore, a complete makeover has been given to the interiors, making them more upmarket with on-board diagnostics. The engines are carried over from the new Swift and this means the Dzire will be powered by 86bhp, 1.2-litre petrol (claimed to deliver 19.1kpl) and 74bhp, 1.3-litre diesel (23.4kpl) motors. The K-Series petrol engine benefits from Variable Valve Timing and gives it a 2bhp power increase compared to the older car. The 1.3-litre DDiS motor remains mainly unchanged.

According to Mayank Pareek, managing executive officer (sales and marketing), the existing Swift Dzire will not be phased out but will be marketed commercially to fleet operators and taxi drivers. With an over 39 percent market share in the entry saloon segment, the Swift Dzire has been clocking monthly sales of 8,000-10,000 units. Maruti is optimistic of notching still higher returns with the new version.

In terms of performance, Maruti claims the petrol Dzire can hit 0-100kph in 12.6sec, while the diesel Dzire would take 14.8sec, before reaching its top speed of 160kph.

The new Maruti Swift Dzire competes with the likes of the Tata Indigo eCS, Toyota Etios and the Mahindra Verito.

Interview with Suzuki's Shinzo Nakanishi