Maruti Suzuki has drawn the curtains on one of its most successful models, the mid-size Esteem. More contemporary models from its competitors offering greater safety features and technological advancements meant that Maruti had to introduce a more modern and sophisticated model with ample power and comfort. Discontinuing the production of its long-standing Esteem series during December last year, the company has launched the Swift based DZire.
It is a little known fact that when the Swift was about to hit the Indian market, work on a sedan version of this hatchback was already underway.
The car maker is aiming to replicate the success of its premium hatch with the launch of the Swift DZire. The philosophy behind the product is that the wishes of the average consumer must be fulfilled. The DZire is likely to fulfill Maruti's wishes too, as it looks set to grab a substantial portion of the lucrative sedan segment and for very good reasons. The whole idea behind the DZire works around the 'what you desire' theme. If what you desire is luxury in cars without breaking the bank, then look no further. Positioned between the Swift and the SX4, the DZire aims at the large chunk of Indian consumers who want to own an entry level sedan which looks up-market but is priced about marginally higher than premium hatches.
The first drive of the DZire was planned on the Delhi - Agra stretch. The moment I saw the car, the earlier pictures I had in my mind of the car, lay completely shattered. The challenge to integrate a boot into the overall personality of the Swift while imparting the elegance of a sedan has been achieved quite well and I personally liked the way she looks.
Front on, the car remains pretty much the same, except for a new front grill. At the rear, the high-deck design gives it a sporty touch (reminds me a bit of the 7 Series!). The boot also gets a chrome lip, with the DZire logo positioned above it on the right side. Good use has been made of the tail-lights to impart the same family design feel. Other changes on the exterior include a new design for the 14 inch six-spoke alloy wheels which are shod with 185mm rubber.
Once inside, the first thing that caught my eye was the superbly integrated music system. It gels perfectly into the fascia and lends a classy feel to the cabin. The audio controls on the steering (like the SX4) make life easier. The steering wheel is height adjustable and that is a very big plus point. At the rear, a new seat insures 60mm extra shoulder space along with a central arm-rest and a remote for the music system that pampers the rear occupants superbly. The DZire also gets new door fabric as well as chrome rings for the speedometer console. The chassis remains the same and so does the wheelbase - even the breadth and the height of the car remain the same. The length of the car has increased by 465mm to 4160mm. The boot space now stands at an impressive 445L, which is almost double that of the hatch!
The DZire comes with an option of petrol as well a diesel engine - both similar to the ones used in the Swift. The maximum power and torque figures as well as gear ratios have been left untouched while the ECU has been tweaked a little. Fret not, the DZire weighs just 30kilos more than the hatch and that is a big achievement for Maruti. This means that there will not be too much difference in the overall performance of both the engine variants.
The drive from Kosi to Agra involved a four lane highway as well as passing through various small towns. The road has its own share of empty stretches and the petrol as well as the diesel powered DZire felt more than adequate for highway use. Yes, the petrol engine still feels a little sluggish below 2000rpm but beyond that, it loves being pushed. Remember, the Swift hatch hits the ton mark in about twelve seconds and we won't be surprised if the DZire petrol delivers similar performance - that will make it faster than both the Logan and Indigo petrol versions, which are very much in the same category. The diesel DZire seemed to be better insulated than the diesel Swift and maintaining 130-135km/h with four adults on board wasn't a bother for the car. The diesel powered DZire too, as we see it, will be the fastest car in its class. The top-of-the-line variants of both, the petrol and the diesel model come with ABS (with EBD) and airbags as well as Maruti's I-Cats safety device.
The car looks quite good, is loaded with features and on the performance front, will be faster than its main competitors, the Indigo and the Logan (both petrol and diesel variants) including the good old Ford Ikon 1.3. Combine Maruti's after sales support and reliability, and the DZire already looks like a big hit.
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