Maruti Suzuki recently unveiled the much-awaited Swift DZire. Like the earlier company models, Swift and SX4, the DZire too is set to redefine the market and stir excitement in the entry-level sedan segment. The DZire, which comes both in diesel and petrol engines, offers luxury features like integrated stereo, steering mounted audio controls, automatic climate control and power windows. Safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, collapsible steering column and an i-CATS anti-theft facility. Many of these features are being offered for the first time in this segment.
The Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki, Mr. S. Nakanishi said: “The DZire is the seventh model Maruti Suzuki has launched in the last three years. It has a special place in our product strategy. Millions of Indians own compact cars. With growing incomes and better lifestyle, many of them want to upgrade to a sedan. But today they are not able to find an entry level sedan that offers style, features and performance. The DZire offers all this, and at an attractive price.”
The DZire offers customers the prestige associated with a sedan, while retaining the famed performance of the Swift hatch back. The Swift had, from the start, been conceived as a car that would be offered both as a hatchback as well as a sedan.
For the 11 Maruti Suzuki engineers who worked on the design of the DZire, the challenge was to integrate the boot into the overall personality of the Swift, while imparting the elegance of a sedan. In providing a high style quotient, they have integrated the boot with just 30 km added to the car’s weight. The suspension and engine have been tuned for the sedan. As a result, the DZire has the highest power-to-weight ratio in its category. This ensures best performance and superior fuel efficiency.
The petrol version of the vehicle model comes with a 1.3 litre, 16 valve, ALTec 32 engine, with a maximum 87 bhp at 6000 rpm. The diesel version comes with the 1.3 litre DDiS engine, offering a torque of 190 Nm at 2000 rpm.
Commonising platforms is emerging as a global best practice. This enables manufacturers to minimise duplication and prevent wastage. They are able to offer more features and superior styling in car models, at an attractive price.
The DZire is the latest example. By commonising platforms, Maruti Suzuki is able to offer more features and superior styling, while keeping the price attractive. The company designers and engineers have worked to control the noise, vibration and harshness levels, thus ensuring the best in class driving pleasure and comfort.
The popularity of Maruti Suzuki cars in the A3 segment also suggests that it has successfully expanded its image from being the leader in small cars to a company offering the full range of cars. With the launch of the DZire in the A3 segment, the company is set to further widen choice for customers and increase its lead over the competitors.
