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Interior
Overview - Upgraded Engine + Minor Facelift + Automatic Variant Option
Maruti had launched Maruti SX4 in May 2007 to compete with the likes of Honda City which is the most popular and successful sedan in its segment. Maruti Suzuki was the first automobile company to introduce class leading premium features such as air-bags, steering-mounted audio controls, auto climate control, glass antennae and many others in an A3 segment car for customer benefit. The tradition continues in the new SX4 with the company bringing in advanced VVT technology, which has so far been used only in the luxury SUV, Suzuki Grand Vitara.
But Maruti SX4 could not compete with City's superior technology and brand image. At the time of launch SX4 has been very well recieved by indian customers, as it was a true value for money sedan which comes fully loaded with all the features at a very affordable price. But with the launch of 2009 model of Honda City, the sales of SX4 started to decline.
Now Maruti Suzuki India is back with new improved SX4 to make the deal better in comparison to Honda City, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Aveo & Hyundai Verna. They have plonked new 1.6 VVT engine in SX4 so that it complies with the strict emission norms which will be in effect from April, 2011 in 11 cities in India. The new engine is a 1600cc VVT(Variable Valve Timing) powerplant producing 104 Bhp which is 2 Bhp up from previous 102 Bhp. Maruti has also given some cosmetic design upgrades to the exterior and interiors to make it look more muscular and smart in comparison to Fiat Linea and Honda City.
8 Additions & New Features Of Maruti SX4
1) Upgraded 1.6 Litre engine with VVT head which now develops 104 bhp. It also meets the Bharat IV norms.
2) All New Brown/Beige Interiors plus option of leather interior in ZXi variants.
3) USB Input for the Dash Integrated Music System - only in ZXi variants
4) Wooden finish door console for power window buttons and control of rear view mirrors.
5) Flush fitting central rear seat arm rest - but surprisingly without cup holders
6) New Honeycomb Grille - looks much better than the grille of outgoing model
7) New 10 spoke 16" alloy wheels - but the 5 spoke design was more muscular and sppealing
8) Automatic Transmission Option - only in Zxi variants
Design & Style Of New Maruti SX4
Designed by Guigiarro and ITAL Design, it was actually developed as a crossover whose platform is shared by Fiat and Suzuki. A lot of crossover is visible in the New SX4's styling. The massive wheel arches have been built to accommodate new 16" 10 Spoke alloy wheels with high-profile tires. Other macho features of New SX4 are tall upright windscreen, massive widescreen mirrors and the upright seating position of the passengers.
Apart from the oversized wheels which look out of proportion, the design of New Maruti SX4 is well balanced. The headlights wrap around onto the fenders, there are big front wheel arches and the integration of the rear of New SX4 is well executed and in line with the design of the nose as well. A stylistic touch is the way the front quarter glass dips down into the beltline.
The Front of New SX4 features large, elongated wrap-around style, clear-lens headlamps, a muscular bonnet slab and a compact bumper that features matching design lines greet the onlooker at the front. New SX4 also features all new honeycomb grille finished in black matte shade. An air dam, twin fog lamps and a two-slatted grille in the middle with chrome lipping and chrome Suzuki logo round-off the front side of New Maruti SX4. It sports an unconventional design and is built to offer the look and drive feel of a crossover vehicle.
The extended wheelbase, the short overhangs, the mildly cab-forward design, the raised ground clearance, the large glass area, the oversized tail-lamp cluster and the lower wedge in the A-pillar quarter glass are reminiscent of Maruti's focus on offering practical features that will be able to better handle Indian usage pattern and road conditions. At the rear of New SX4, the tail-lamps dominate the stubby, nearly notch-back style boot lid. Reflectors integrated into the rear bumper and a third stop lamp offer additional safety. SX4's overall fit and finish quality has been benchmarked to European standards and so its design is unaltered, panel gaps and shut lines are tight and the paint job is superb.
Interiors & Comfort Features Of New Maruti SX4
The interiors of New SX4 are more or less same like the outgoing model with minor changes which includes new upholstery for seats and new gear lever in automatic variant. Also an option of USB support has been added in the dash integrated music system. Also New is Wooden finish door mounted power window console. But overall the interiors of SX4 feel a little bit cramped with less rear leg room and small rear windscreen. Front seat headrests are very big in size and the distance between the seats is also very less. Leather seats are optional in the top-end ZXi variant; it also comes with a neatly integrated in-dash music system as part of the standard package.
Automatic air-conditioning with attractive matt-silver dials and steering-wheel-mounted controls for the music system are also part of standard fitment in the ZXi variant. The pair of brushed chrome strips that straddle the central console looks good and the chromed air con controls also look and function well. It is obvious there are a lot of bits carried over from the Swift on the insides as well, stuff like the steering wheel, power window buttons, air con vents, some switchgear and the gear stick. The electric mirror adjuster knob feels particularly tacky. A nice touch, however, is the fact that there is space to store a bottle in all four door pockets and that this car can be bought with leather seats. In terms of equipment, the New Maruti SX4 is really good.
Engine, Mileage & Ride Quality Of New Maruti SX4
Last Gen SX4 was powered by 1586cc, 4 cylinder petrol engine with developed maximum power 102 Bhp with maximum torque of 154Nm. The New engine is a 1600cc VVT(Variable Valve Timing) powerplant producing maximum power of 104 Bhp at 5600 rpm with maximum torque of 145 Nm at 4100 rpm. ARAI has also announced the mileage figures of new SX4 - the manual version willl return 15.5 kmpl while the automatic variant is expected to return 12.5 kmpl.
The VVT or Variable Valve Timing allows the timing of the intake valve to be changed while the engine is in operation, thereby ensuring that there is never a shortage or wastage of power. This leads to improved engine efficiency, optimized fuel consumption and lesser carbon emissions. With the advanced VVT technology, the car starts, accelerates and climbs steep slopes better. In essence, the technology is an intelligent system leading to a smoother, more luxurious drive and better mileage.
Maruti SX4's suspension setup is too stiff to be comfortable on low and high speeds. Low-speed ride is a touch lumpy over small undulations and you sometimes can feel the additional unsprung mass of those large tyres. Grip is fantastic from the wide tires and you can carry a fair amount of speed into corners, but the SX4 is nothing if not fidgety. There is massive torque steer tugging at the steering wheel from left to right as you floor the throttle. The SX4's inconsistent steering feedback keeps the driver on alert as you have to constantly make little corrections.
Variants & Price Of New Maruti SX4
Maruti has launched New SX4 in five variants - SX4 VXi, SX4 ZXi, SX4 ZXi Leather, SX4 ZXi Automatic & SX4 ZXi Leather Automatic. The extra features in ZXi in comparsion to base model VXi are Dual SRS airbags, Alloy Wheels, ABS (Anti Lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), Audio system controls on steering wheel, Front fog lights, Body colored door moulding, Automatic control system and Silver finish interior door handles. The ZXi leather variants have leather clad steering wheel, gear knob and leather seat covers.
The Automatic variant has same features like the ZXi variant - the only difference is that it comes with 4-speed automatic transmission. A cluster of computer controlled sensors constantly manage the throttle input and optimize the engine response accordingly, thus requiring no changing of gears. The overdrive mode in the Automatic Transmission provides additional power on the tap, whenever needed.
Here is a price list of New Maruti SX4, Ex-Showrrom New Delhi:
- New SX4 VXi --------------- Rs. 6,68,000.00
- New SX4 ZXi --------------- Rs. 7,37,000.00
- New SX4 ZXi Leather ----- Rs. 7,71,000.00
- New SX4 ZXi AT ----------- Rs. 8,02,000.00
- New SX4 ZXi Leather AT - Rs. 8,35,000.00
Shades Available In New Maruti SX4
New Maruti SX4 is available in seven shades. Two new shades have also been introduced - Oyster Blue & French Eclair. Following shades are available:
- Azure Grey
- Pearl Arctic White
- French Eclair - New Shade
- Oyster Blue - New Shade
- Clear Beige
- Silky Silver
- Midnight Black
What To Expect From New Maruti Suzuki SX4
Overall SX4 is a great car, is very well equipped, is good looking and fun to drive. And it is expected that the New SX4 is going to increase the bar further with more powerful engine and enhanced looks. Maruti Suzuki has also launched automatic variant of New SX4 to compete with the likes if recently launched New Honda City's Automatic "V" variant. Maruti has signed Bollywood actor John Abraham as the brand ambassador of the revamped Maruti SX4. John Abraham appeals to both young men and women, who is also the target audience for the SX4.
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