Maruti Suzuki launched the new Wagon R in India on January 23, 2019; and at the time of launch, the hatchback was only available with two petrol engines. Now, though, the carmaker has introduced the CNG-powered Wagon R, badged the Wagon R S-CNG (Smart-CNG), and has priced it from Rs 4.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The new Wagon R CNG is available in two variants and one engine-gearbox combination for buyers to choose from. There’s the base LXi trim priced at Rs 4.84 lakh and the LXi (O) variant that costs Rs 4.89 lakh. The CNG variants are priced at a premium of Rs 65,000 over the petrol-powered counterparts.
In terms of features, the Wagon R S-CNG LXI gets central locking, front power windows, manual air-conditioning, a 12V socket and 13-inch steel wheels. Safety kit includes a driver’s-side airbag, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, a speed alert system and a seat-belt reminder system. A passenger-side airbag is offered on the LXI (O) variant.
The Wagon R CNG is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 68hp and 90Nm of torque when run on petrol and 59hp/78Nm when running on CNG. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox only. The Wagon R CNG also claims to return a fuel efficiency of 33.54 km/kg. Interestingly, Maruti Suzuki has chosen not to equip the larger 83hp, 1.2-litre engine with CNG, for now.
Priced at Rs 4.84 lakh, the Wagon R S-CNG significantly undercuts the Hyundai Santro CNG, which starts at Rs 5.24 lakh. However, it is worth noting that the Santro CNG gets more equipment, since it is offered on the mid-spec Magna and Sportz variants, unlike the Wagon R CNG, which is only available in the base variants.
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