Maruti readying three new launches

Maruti has already launched models this year, the Ignis, the Baleno RS and the new 2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire. The carmaker had lined up four launches for this financial year, out of which the first one was the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire sedan. In the pipeline are three more new car launches for the Indian market by the end of the financial year. Speaking at the new 2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire launch, R.S. Kalsi, Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, confirmed that out of the three, one will be an all-new offering.

Sources close to the company confirmed that the all-new model that will come to India before the end of this financial year will be the next-gen Swift hatchback, which is slated to be unveiled at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018 in February. The new Swift hatchback, unveiled in late 2016, managed to retain the overarching design language of the original car. The 2017 Swift is built on the same platform as the Baleno, though it will be 10-15 percent lighter. The India-spec Swift will continue to use the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines as the current car, though the diesel engine might be tuned to produce more power. The novelty that the 2017 Swift will offer will be automatic options on both the petrol and the diesel variant.

The other two models that will seemid-cycle refreshes are the S-Cross crossoverand the Celerio hatchback. While the crossover was unveiled earlier, the India-spec car is likely to get similar styling tweaks as the international model. Expect Maruti to launch the S-Cross sometime during the festive season. The Celerio hatchback will minor tweaks to its exteriors and interior. Details are scarce at the moment, but it will be safe to expect Maruti to add more equipment and creature comforts to make the car more competitive against its rivals like the Tata Tiago.