• Benefits include discount and exchange bonus

• Dzire facelift went on sale just days before the nationwide lockdown 

• New 1.2-litre BS6 DualJet engine is the big change in the update

The updated Maruti Suzuki Dzire was among the last few launches before the nationwide lockdown came into force on March 24, 2020. With limited deliveries since, including none in April, Maruti Suzuki and functional Arena dealers are going all out to make up for the lost time on what has been a consistently strong seller. 

The carmaker has announced benefits of up to Rs 48,000 on the Dzire facelift. The offer includes a flat discount of Rs 20,000, coupled with additional benefits of Rs 3,000 and an exchange bonus of Rs 25,000. Maruti Dzire prices range from Rs 5.89 lakh for the base LXi variant, going up to Rs 8.81 lakh for the top-spec ZXi (AMT) trim. 

The Dzire facelift is identifiable by its new front grille and bumper, new fog lamp housings, a new design for the alloys and a mildly tweaked rear bumper. On the inside, the Dzire has been updated with Maruti Suzuki’s latest SmartPlay Studio infotainment system, replete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Dual-tone cloth upholstery and new textures for faux wood trim also help spruce up the cabin.  

The bigger change on the updated Dzire is under the skin. There’s a new BS6-compliant 1.2-litre K12N DualJet petrol engine that produces 90hp, which is 7hp more than the outgoing 1.2-litre K12M unit. As before, gearbox options include a 5-speed manual and an AMT, with ESP and Hill Hold Assist being important additions on the latter. As is widely known, a diesel engine is no longer on offer on the Dzire, or any other Maruti models. 

The company, in a bid to re-start operations, announced a long list of COVID-19 standard operating procedures that include stringent safety and sanitation norms across its dealerships. Additionally, the company has also trained its dealer staff to maintain proper social distancing and has made the use of face masks, sanitisers and temperature monitoring mandatory at all Maruti Suzuki outlets.

Key rivals to the refreshed Dzire include the new Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor, Ford Aspire and the Honda Amaze compact sedan.

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