Maruti Suzuki has introduced its ninth BS6-compliant vehicle in India – the Eeco. Prices for the BS6 Eeco start at Rs 3.81 lakh and go up to Rs 4.21 lakh for the 5-seater AC model, which represents a Rs 20,000-30,000 hike, depending on the variant. These prices are for the petrol variants only as Maruti Suzuki has yet to release prices for the CNG version.
As we had reported earlier, Maruti has upgraded the older G-Series engine rather than installing the new K-Series motor that is utilised on the Baleno, Ignis, Wagon R and Swift. This is because the older 1.2-litre unit can be mounted longitudinally and send power to the rear wheels, which is not possible with the K12 engine.
Interestingly, the BS6-compliant engine’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency is higher than the BS4 version – it is up from 15.37kpl to 16.11kpl. In addition, the power figure is the same 73hp but torque has reduced by 3Nm to 98Nm.
In every other aspect, the Eeco is unchanged. Maruti confirmed that it has sold over 6.5 lakh units of the MPV since it launched in 2010, and unlike the rest of the automobile industry, sales of the Eeco during 2019 were actually an improvement over 2018’s figures.
All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
