Maruti has launched the new third-gen Dzire in India with prices for the car starting at Rs 5.45 lakh. The all-new car is based on Maruti’s new Heartect platform, the same one underpinning the Baleno and the Ignis, making it lighter than its predecessor. The new Dzire now tops out at less than 1,000kg in terms of weight, with the heaviest variant weighing 990kg. The car also gets a larger boot than its predecessor at 378 litres as against 316 litres.

Powering the new Dzire is the same set of engines as the previous-gen model. The third-gen car comes with the option of Maruti’s 83hp, 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, K-series petrol engine or the automaker’s ubiquitous 1.3-litre, DDiS 190 diesel engine developing 75hp and 190Nm of torque. Both motors are offered with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard and get the option of a five-speed AMT unit as well. Maruti claims a fuel economy figure of 22kpl for the petrol motor, in both manual and automatic guise, and 28.4kpl for the diesel unit. Interestingly, at 28.4kpl, the Dzire is not only the most fuel-efficient diesel compact sedan in the segment but also the most efficient diesel car in the country, overtaking the mild-hybrid Ciaz diesel which is rated at 28.09kpl.

The new Dzire is available with a choice of eight variants – LXi, LDi, VXi, VDi, ZXi, ZDi, ZXi+ and ZDi+ – with all but the base LXi and LDi trims getting the option of an AMT gearbox.

The base L trim (LXi – Rs 5.45 lakh, LDi – Rs 6.45 lakh) packs in basic equipment such as steel wheels, dual-tone interior, manual air conditioning and tilt adjust steering. Importantly, Maruti is offering the new Dzire with dual airbags, ABS and ISOFIX child seat anchors as standard fitment.

The V trim (VXi – Rs 6.29 lakh, VDi – Rs 7.29 lakh) in comparison gets quite a bit of kit. In addition to the basic equipment, the V trim also gets wheel covers, body-coloured bumpers and wing mirrors, wood inserts in the cabin, tachometer, remote locking, audio system with CD, USB, aux and Bluetooth connectivity, rear AC vents, rear centre armrest, central locking, power windows, electric adjust wing mirrors and height adjustable driver seat.

The Z trim (ZXi – Rs 7.05 lakh, ZDi – Rs 8.05 lakh) packs in alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering, rear parking sensors, fog lamps, rear defogger, keyless go, auto climate control and electric retract wing mirrors.

New to the line-up is the top-spec Z+ trim (ZXi+ – Rs 7.94 lakh, ZDi+ – Rs 8.94 lakh) that packs in a fair share of tech. Equipment offered on the new top trim includes LED projector headlamps with auto-on function, new precision-cut alloy wheels, reverse parking camera and Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and Navigation function.

The AMT variants cost about Rs 47,000 more than their manual counterparts and offer identical equipment.

The new Dzire rivals the likes of the recently facelifted Hyundai Xcent , the Ford Figo Aspire, the Volkswagen Ameo, the Tata Zest and the Honda Amaze.

(All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi)

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