Sportier Maruti Ciaz coming next year

Maruti launched the Honda City rival, the Ciaz, back in October this year. It was launched in four trims namely, V, V+, Z and Z (O). Now Maruti is readying a sportier version of the Ciaz, which may sit at top of the range. Just like the successful Swift RS, which comes with a body kit and special paint, Maruti will be launching a similar-specced Ciaz, which could be called the Ciaz RS.

This variant will be based on the upcoming Ciaz Z+ trim, which the carmaker had announced will join Ciaz's line-up next year. The new top trim will come with a touchscreen infotainment system and all the features and fitments available on the current top trim, Ciaz Z (O). The Z(O) gets 16-inch alloys, instead of the standard 15-inchers on the Z trim, and full leather upholstery instead of the part-fabric part-leather upholstery.

When the sportier Ciaz variant and the Z+ trim go on sale in 2015, it will give it a slight edge over its closest rival the Honda City, which comes with an audio system with a 5-inch display unit on the top trims sans the touchscreen. This move by Maruti may also prompt Honda to launch a sportier-looking City with exterior tweaks, just like the Mobilio RS.

As far as Ciaz sales go, things finally seem to be falling into place - the Ciaz outsold the Honda City in October, the first month of its launch. Maruti has delivered 6,345 units of the Ciaz, while Honda sold only 5,120 units of the City in October.