SCOOP: New Dzire under 4 metres
The next generation Swift Dzire based on the all-the new Suzuki Swift platform will have a length of less than 4 metres, according to sources in Maruti. This will allow the future Dzire to qualify as a ‘small car’ and attract only 10 percent excise duty instead of 22 percent for bigger cars like the current Dzire which is 4160mm long. The new Dzire will use the same 84bhp 1.2 petrol and 75bhp 1.3 turbo-diesel from the existing model but there is also talk of a 90bhp version of the Fiat-sourced diesel motor as well. The plan and growth of the new Dzire is being done completely in-house by Maruti as this model will only be sold in the Indian market. Since the new Swift platform is bigger than before, the challenge for Maruti engineers is to integrate a boot that fits under the four-metre length.
There is a worry that shortening the Dzire’s length could compromise Maruti’s best-selling saloon because length is critical for the premium image of a saloon car. Also, boot space would be significantly reduced as well. However, the flip side is cost funds of around Rs 40,000 (thanks to excise duty savings) and we expect a significant amount of this advantage to be passed onto consumers. Looking at the response to the Etios, the Dzire’s first serious competitor, we expect the new Maruti Swift Dzire to be very aggressively priced. The new Dzire is likely to be launched soon after the Swift hatchback in the second half of 2011.