Maruti Suzuki has launched a slightly refreshed Wagon R. India’s second largest selling car has been setting the charts on fire since its launch way back in 1999 and has been quite a hit with the Indian car buyers,especially first time car buyers despite the boxy design.It is currently averaging about 11,000 units a month. The Wagon R is doing extremely well despite skewed market trends towards diesel cars.
Changes include a face-lifted front, it sports a redesigned bumper and grill along with some chrome. A new music system with integrated usb has been added. The engine has been tweaked to deliver an ARAI approved 20.51 kmpl (8 per cent more efficient than the outgoing model). The new Wagon R is now going to be offered in two new colours; ecro beige and passion red dubbed the smarter colours. As per company officials the changes made in this model refresh were based on customer feedback. In addition, Maruti Suzuki has introduced low viscosity transmission oil in the new Wagon R, for improved and smoother gearshifts and lower maintenance costs.
The Wagon R is compact and easy to maneuver,it’s efficient and frugal and is quite zippy thanks to its K10B engine. It makes 68 ps at 6,500 rpm and has 90 Nm of torque at 3,200 rpm. Combined with its light weight, tipping the scales at 775kgs it has good acceleration for its class and tops out at 160 km/h.
Prices have been revised by Rs 10,000 across the Wagon R range. There are 5 variants on offer: LX, Lxi,Lxi CNG,Vxi and Vxi ABS. Prices start at 3.58 lakhs for the base variant and go upto 4.44 lakhs for the Vxi ABS (Ex showroom New Delhi). Expect to see some strong sales and if rumours are to be believed we can expect a 3 pot one litre diesel motor under the hood very soon. It’s good to note that ABS and airbags are being offered as an option on a budget hatch.
With good reliable cars and a strong nation wide dealership network and after-sales presence, Maruti Suzuki is strengthening the Wagon R brand and seem to be improving on a winning formula!!
