Maruti Suzuki has always been in limelight due to its strategy to offer unique products to cater the needs of Indian auto buffs. Though all of its cars have been commended by Indian customers, Maruthi Celerio got special attention from people across the country because of the availability of AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) in the vehicle. And now the car is again in news as Maruti is planning to introduce diesel variant of Celerio in the country. The diesel powered Celerio will make its way to the dealership sometimes around in the first half of the year. After tasting the runway triumph in the domestic market, Celerio will surely take its sales count on new level with the diesel engine under its hood.
Maruti, although being the largest carmaker in India, does not have its own diesel engine and in fact uses Fiat’s multjet diesel motor. So the diesel powertrain in Celerio will be Maruti’s own 792cc twin-cylinder turbo engine being indigenously developed by the company. Though there is nothing revealed about the power delivering capability of new diesel engine, but it is likely to offer around 45-50 bhp and peak torque of 100Nm. If this is held true, than Celerio diesel will become the first car in the country to carry the smallest capacity diesel engine featured in it.
Not yet over, this powertrain is going to be the most fuel competent engine any car has ever embraced under its hood. And icing on the cake is the frugality of the diesel motor which is claimed to deliver a whooping 35 kmpl mileage, way ahead of any vehicle available in the country right now. Also, the same diesel motor is likely to power Maruti’s new LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) truck, code-named as Y9T.
As far as design and features in diesel Celerio are concerned, they are going to remain the same as before. And for the AMT, it is expected that Maruti will not put down it from this version as this has been very crucial in Celerio’s success in India. When launched in the country, the new car will give serious threat to Chevrolet Beat and the Ford Figo.
In terms of pricing, the diesel Celerio is expected to get price tag of Rs. 1 lac more than the petrol trim. Maruti Celerio was launched in India in February last year to replace A-star from its portfolio. The petrol hatch was offered with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, while gearbox choices included a 5-speed manual and an automated manual transmission (AMT). And now the diesel car coming with the same specifications except the engine option, will undoubtedly repeat the success of the petrol sibling in India.
Not just that, the largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is all set to unveil a large array of new products and revamped models of its existing cars in the country. The auto giant after enjoying huge success in 2014 is on spree to expand its portfolio with around 9 new models in ongoing year. This is being done with the expectation of tapping new volumes in fresh segments. Where all new Swift Dzire facelift is just waiting to come out of the covers in February, the new crossover SX4 S-Cross and Light Commercial Vehicle Y9T is slated for launch in May 2015. Then come the Ertiga facelift that will see sunlight in June and this will be followed by two premium hatchbacks YRA and Swift AMT diesel during the festive season in the country. Lastly, the year will get end with the introduction of Ritz facelift in the country. So, Maruti has tightly lined up the launches in order to preserve its number one position in the industry.