Maruti Suzuki launches lighter, more fuel-efficient Dzire

Maruti Suzuki on Wednesday launched a lighter and sportier version of its fast-selling Dzire sedan, at an ex-showroom (Delhi) price tag ofRs5.45 lakh for the low-end version. The all-new Dzire is also more fuel efficient.

The petrol variants are priced between Rs5.45 lakh and Rs8.41 lakh while the diesel ones cost between Rs6.45 lakh and Rs9.41 lakh.

The new Dzire offers increased fuel efficiency of 5.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent on the petrol and diesel variant, respectively. The diesel Dzire claims to give an efficiency of 28.4 km per litre while the petrol variant gives a mileage of 22 km per litre.

The company had started bookings for the new car early this month and is reported to have already received bookings for more than 33,000 cars. Deliveries will start immediately.

With this launch, Mariti Suzuki hopes to position Dzire as a vehicle distinct from the Swift on which it was originally modelled when it was launched in 2008.

The new model is also called Dzire and not Swift Dzire as it seeks to break away the Swift tag. The first generation Swift Dzire which had more boot space saw it reduced in the later model, which will now be replaced by the new Dzire.

The latest Dzire is the full model change of the sedan and Maruti Suzuki may come out with a new Swift also next year.

Maruti is reported to have invested Rs1,000 crore in developing the new Dzire.

With a wider front and additional features like light weight (105 kg less than the earlier  model) and higher fuel efficiency, diamond cut alloy wheels, touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear air conditioning vents, the new Dzire aims to enhance the product value and keep it going till the late 20s and mid 30s.

First launched in 2008, Dzire happens to be Maruti's second most sold car (after the Alto) and brings 14 per cent of the company's domestic sales. Dzire also is the largest selling compact sedan in the country accounting for half of the segment volumes.

''We have designed a fresh new car that is an authentic sedan. It is more spacious and more comfortable, more feature packed.

The inside of the new Dzire has a plush and premium look, ''distinguishing it from everything else,'' and the new Dzire is bound to generate excitement among the young and aspiring, said Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director of Maruti Suzuki.

Dzire is also critical for the market leader in segment with more than a dozen players, where Dzire accounts for 50 per cent of the sales volume.

Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 200,000 Dzires last financial year, which is more than what companies like Tata Motors, Honda and Toyota sell across all the models put together.

As of now, the company has sold over 1.38 million Dzire cars since its first launch in 2008.

Maruti Suzuki, which sold 1.56 million cars in FY17, is looking at an annual volume of two million cars by 2020.