Maruti Suzuki unveils Ignis with starting price of Rs4.59 lakh
14 Jan 2017
India's largest automobile maker Maruti Suzuki has added another product to the portfolio, Ignis, priced between Rs4.59 lakh and Rs7.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The 'premium urban compact' Ignis, the mini-sports utility vehicle expands the Baleno platform of the automaker.
''We are aware that the life and priorities of our customers are fast evolving. If we have to keep pace, we must demolish traditional categories and think afresh. Just like the customer,'' said managing director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa, adding that the company was ready to demolish traditional categories while challenging itself to create new segments.
According to commentators, with the product, the company might be able to redefine categories, built along the lines of the Renault Kwid in styling and located higher on price band. Ayakawa pointed out that ''The Ignis,'' ''shatters the existing categories in the Indian car market'' and ''challenges conventional design and styling''. The compact would be available in both petrol and diesel with an auto-gear shift feature.
The petrol version has a 1.2-litre engine and is priced between Rs4.59 lakh and Rs 6.69 lakh. The diesel variant comes with a 1.3-litre engine with price ranging from Rs6.39 lakh to Rs7.8 lakh (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).
According to commentators, in the price bracket, the Ignis might face competition from Hyundai Grand i10, Mahindra KUV 100 and Maruti Suzuki's popular model Swift.
''Ignis is built on a new generation rigid platform embodying Suzuki Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) for occupant protection,'' the company said. It added that, along with its suppliers, it had had invested over Rs950 crore towards development of the vehicle, which was 98.5 per cent localised.
The new model would retail through the company's premium retail chain Nexa.
For safety, the car comes with dual airbags, seatbelts with pre-tensioner force limiter and ABS with EBD as standard fitments. According to the company the vehicle was also compliant with pedestrian safety, side-impact, and offset crash regulations that would be implemented soon.