Maruti Suzuki 800

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Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Maruti Suzuki Kizashi

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Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Zen Estilo

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Wagon R has been in India since 1999 and has been the third largest selling vehicle from the inventory of Maruti. However, after it’s relaunch in 2010 it is nothing like its predecessors, which never really struck a chord with Indian customers. New Wagon R is now referred as 'The Blue-Eyed Boy' in company's campaigns, which is ascribed from its unique blue lens in the front headlamps. The vehicle has gone through a complete overhaul in terms of interiors, exteriors and instrumentation.

The new Wagon R attracts more customers with an entirely new K-series engine. New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2011 comes with an advanced security system called iCATs, which prevents vehicle theft. Moreover, the vehicle is also offered in its CNG and LPG versions, which is surely going to attract a lot of customers.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Launch History

Suzuki Wagon R entered Indian car market only in 1999, though it was initially launched in Japan in 1993. The initial versions of this car utilised the engine of its contemporary JDM Suzuki Alto, which was similar in dimensions except the height. This car was taller than any other car on road and used to have a straight rear; a design feature that suited the limited parking space and aesthetic sense of Japanese people. The car was an instant success in Japan and received several facelift in successive years.

Initially, this car used to come with a 660cc, 3 cylinder engine that was replaced by larger 1000cc engine in 1997. It was marketed under the names of Wagon R+ and Solio for a long time in world markets. In UK, only single variant of this car was available in 2006 that used was packed with 1.3 litre 1289cc petrol engine.  

Since its last facelift in 2010, Wagon R cars have gained immense popularity in Indian market. Taller, wider and longer than before, all-new Wagon R was launched in Indian market 23rd April, 2010. A host of improvements in overall styling, security and interiors of the vehicle have completely transformed Wagon R, which once used to be a mere spacious minivan in boxy hatchback design. 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Variants

Maruti Suzuki has launched various models of Wagon R in India, such as Vxi, Lxi CNG, Lxi Duo (LPG variant), Lxi and Lx. Although, these models are built using the same KB10 998cc engine, chassis and transmission a lot of differences might be seen in terms of comfort, convenience, styling, security and safety systems. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R prices ranges between Rs.3.36 lacs and Rs.4.2 lacs. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R car price also depend on the optional accessories included. The details about the variant are discussed below:

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Pricing

New Wagon R 2011 has been placed in a price bracket of Rs.3.36 lacs and Rs.4.45 lacs. Maruti Wagon R prices rise with the type of accessories, included in successive variants and though CNG and LPG variants might appear costlier, they recover the price difference in very short time.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Review

Wagon R has been Japan’s favourite car for long time and with its new version it has again proved to be a favourite amongst Indian customers. Recently a lot of automotive magazines and TV shows have given good ratings to new Wagon R cars, which also score high on technical parameters. It was judged as Compact Car of the Year 2011 by Autocar, which praise about car’s effective power steering, high comfortable seating, storage space and manoeuvrability. 'ET Zig Wheels Car of the Year awards' also described new Wagon R as Best Entry Level Mini Car of the Year 2010. Wagon R 2011 also finds its mention in JD Power Asia Pacific vehicle dependability ratings.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Used Car Market

Maruti has an extensive used car market in the country, which is called as Maruti True Value. By 2009, Maruti had established 304 'True Value Dealerships' in 179 cities across the nation. In the open market used Wagon R cars have a high demand, as buyers get a guarantee of genuine parts.  

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Specifications

All variants of Wagon R are equipped with latest K series engines that also feature in other models of the company. These models have a same chassis, though suspensions differ a little depending on the weight of the variant. Some important technical specifications related with the performance of Wagon R 2011 are given below: 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Exteriors

One can easily believe that new Wagon R 2011 belongs to upper premium segment with its overall styling and intricate details. Offered in seven vibrant colours with a host of new features incorporated in the fascia and elsewhere, new Wagon R cars stand apart in the competition.

Exterior Appearance

New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R stands tall to say the least and still has a proportionate design. The angular ends have become more curvaceous now and the front end of the car with chrome plated radiator grille and unique blue coloured lenses fitted headlights appears very attractive. Similarly, at the rear end one unfailingly gets charmed by the chrome engraved celebration plate with car’s name and stylish tail lamps. Profile of Wagon R actually characterises its minivan cum hatchback design, which has been improved quite remarkably with the inclusion of silver roof rails. Body coloured bumpers, door handles, tinted glasses and spoiler at the rear complete the styling of the car. Simply stated, Wagon R is class apart from its competitors.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Exterior Measurements

With a capacity to seat 5 members, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is premium hatchback car. The dimensions of this car are mentioned in the table below:

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Interiors

The interiors of new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2011 are revamped and offer more space than any other vehicle in this segment. It makes best possible use of the space and includes modern amenities to offer premium appeal.

Interior Appearance

Entirely new combination of door trims, upholstery and floor mats has transformed the dual tone styling of the interiors of new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. The cabin has chrome accents in the instrument panel, which adds to the elegance of the interiors. To add a stylish look to the cabin, door handles are accentuated in silver. Ergonomic designing of the gear lever and steering wheel is somewhat similar to the Swift. Premium quality material has been used in the rectangular centre console and elsewhere in the entire cabin, which is a welcome change from the low grade plastics used in the previous versions of Maruti’s.

Interior Measurements

One can make out even before entering the vehicle that it is roomier than other hatchbacks of the class. A large cabin space, extended boot space and increased head and leg-room for all passengers makes it an ideal vehicle for long journeys.

Interior Comfort

The new HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) design of new Wagon R, improves the air conditioning inside the cabin. Seats are more comfortable and provide ample thigh support in driver’s seat, which prevents fatigue in long driving. A handy shopping tray is provided below the front passenger seat, which is a new concept for a car. For added safety of camera and cell phone units soft insert has been introduced at the floor console. Apart from that, cup holders, alcoves on front console/door sides, luggage parcel tray and various other improvements add to the passengers comfort and drive experience.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Mileage, Average and Fuel Economy

Maruti Suzuki's claims about the fuel efficiency and reliability of Wagon R have been backed by premier research institutions. As per rule 115 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, the 998cc BS-IV compliant petrol engine provides a mileage of 14.2 kmpl in the city and 18.9 kmpl on the highways. Though there is a marked deviation from this figure with air conditioning and driving conditions.

Wagon R Lxi Duo offers the option to switch from petrol to CNG mode; however its power and torque ratings are a bit lower than that of the petrol engine. This variant makes uses of company's advanced i-GPI (intelligent gas port injection system), which as per company's claims offers 26.2 km/kg of fuel efficiency. The Vxi CNG variant delivers a mileage of 15.5 km/kg on city roads and 20.2 kg/km on highways.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R On-Road Drive

As compared to the soft suspension of previous versions of the car, the new Wagon R 2011 has stiffer suspensions, which make the ride stable on Indian roads. Best in the class, 2400 mm wheelbase translates into a better control over the turns, which is further improved by the power steering of the car. Effortless gear shifting via cable type gear shift mechanism and smooth acceleration of the car offers a convenient driving experience. The spoilers included in Wagon R seem to be more of a styling feature then anything else. One can reach speeds as high as 140 kmph, which is more than sufficient on Indian highways. Though NVH characteristics of the car are fine, but at high speeds vibrations and noise does increase a lot.

New Wagon R has ample ground clearance, which is appropriate for crossing the steep speed breakers in residential colonies, which evidently follow no road construction norms. Car might not look aerodynamic but it doesn't really interfere much as long as one is seriously considering racing with this car. The overall experience of driving is very different and comforting with high seating and driving position.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Power

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is powered by a KB 10 Engine, which now powers most of the models offered by the company. This 3 cylinder 12 valve 998 cc engine produces 68 PS at 6200 rpm and torque of 90 Nm at a fairly low 3500 rpm. The aluminium construction of this engine offers better power to weight ratio and incorporates plastic engine manifold.

An intelligent distributor less ignition system with dedicated plug top coils, advanced injectors and innovative rocker-less dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) are salient features of this powerful engine. Lxi Duo has on board computers, which offer consistent performance in both petrol and CNG modes. The 1350 kg Wagon R glides over the roads with this powerful engine. CNG fitted Wagon R Vxi is capable of churning out power of 59.3 PS at 6200 rpm and torque of 77 Nm at 3500 rpm.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Acceleration and Pick Up

Wagon R is powered by 998cc KB 10 engine of Maruti Suzuki. The car has an acceptable acceleration considering its boxy air resistant design and heavier chassis. Though the petrol engine delivers a torque of 90 Nm at a fairly low 3500 rpm, but vehicles somehow doesn't really translates into quick acceleration. One may reach 100 kmph in 16 to 20 seconds, depending on the wind resistance and state of the engine. Delivering superb performance and dynamic acceleration, new Maruti Wagon R achieves top speed of 148 kmph.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Safety & Security

New Wagon R cars incorporate advanced safety and security systems like ABS and iCATs. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) restricts wheel lock up during panic breaking. iCATs (Intelligent Computerised Anti-Theft System) prevents the car from starting by any counterfeit key as it cannot copy the unique security code incorporated in original keys. This code needs to be identified by the car's computers and even prevents the 'hot wiring' of cars.

For worst case scenarios, the chassis has been designed in such a way that it diverts most of the impact away from the passengers. It includes crumple zones made up of crushable high grade materials that soak in most of the impact and reduces injuries. Dual airbags have been provided as an optional feature in the new Wagon R. In case of head-on collision, the collapsible steering column prevents driver from most of the severe injuries. Rear defoggers, front /rear wipers and fog lamps offer better view in inclement conditions with restricted visibility.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Comfort & Convenience

No compromises have been made in incorporating all requisite comfort and convenience accessories in the cabin of new Wagon R 2011. Driver can easily control a lot of car's functionalities and make use of luxuries, while driving, with the help of buttons in the front console. These include electric outside rear view mirror, power windows, central door locking, air conditioner with heater and rotary AC controls, remote fuel lid and tail gate opener. Tilt adjustable steering has been provided to improve driver's comfort, while a digital fuel meter provides accurate detail of the residual fuel levels.

Besides, front door map pockets, IP integrated push type cup holders, reclining and sliding flat front seats and foldable grip assist, add to the convenience of the passengers. A unique front passenger under seat tray has been provided with enough capacity to hold a laptop and few other items. The new HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) design improves the air conditioning inside the cabin. 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Wheels & Suspension

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2011 has larger and wider tubeless tyres for better stability. Wagon R Vxi comes with 155/65 R14, while all other variants are equipped with 145/80 R13 Tyres. Cable-type transmission and a superior L-shaped front suspension frame are specially designed for treacherous Indian roads.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Stereo & Accessories

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R comes with an integrated audio system with 4 door speakers for surround sound effect. New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R India has a roof centre antenna, FM/AM radio and auxiliary USB port in the CD player, which can play MP3 and WMA music formats. One can simply attach a pen drive or other storage media via data cable and enjoy music for hours.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Dealers

An extensive network of authorised dealers spread across the nation make the purchase of New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R convenient for the customers. New Wagon R cars are now available in all major cities of India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. New Wagon R car prices may vary according to the taxes levied by the states and other business policies of the dealers. Some of the authorised dealers of new Wagon R car in four metropolitan cities are given below:

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Company Quotes

Chief General Manager (Marketing) of Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), Shashank Srivastava, announcing the Wagon R's sales record said, “It is a very proud moment for us and it gives more happiness because this milestone has been achieved in the domestic market. With the launch of the new Wagon R, sales have grown for the model. At present we are selling about 15,000 units per month."

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Competitor Analysis

Main competitor of Wagon R is considered to be the Next Gen Hyundai i10, which was launched in 2010. The new version of i10 comes with a revolutionary 1.2 litre Kappa2 engine, which is slightly better than KB 10 Engine of Maruti Suzuki Wagon R in terms of pickup and power. There doesn't seem to be a major difference in mileage as well, however the CNG variants of Wagon R offer a definite advantage. Comfort levels are maintained to a high level in both cars with slightly straighter sitting position in Wagon R. ABS and other advanced technologies involved in safety and suspension of the cars have very little to discuss in terms of differences.

When it comes to deciding better vehicle among the two, technical specifications alone can never be the sole criteria, as a lot depends on customer's sensibilities and liking for a particular design. For instance, the 'tall boy' design was never a favourite among the Indians, whereas Japanese still love it. In the end it can be said that Wagon R enjoys better demand due to Maruti's trusted customer base in India.

New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R faces stiff competition from Chevrolet Beat, which falls in the same price brackets as Wagon R. However, if styling is compared, Beat wins by large margins with its curves, sharp headlamps and unique rear with rear-lamp. Beat also has a leading edge over Wagon R in terms of elbow room for passengers, which is congested in Wagon R. However, if mileage and easy serviceability is considered, Wagon R is far ahead of Chevrolet Beat.

Fiat Grande Punto, which is available in both petrol and diesel fuel option, is another competition for Wagon R.  Punto takes a lead over Wagon R cars in terms of space, ground clearance and wheelbase. However, Wagon R is far ahead in terms of mileage and fuel efficiency, which are its strong points. Fiat Grande Punto also looses points, when it comes to after sales service, which is the strongest point for all Maruti cars in India.

On comparing Wagon R with Ford Figo, it seems that both the cars are stylish. However, from the front, Ford Figo is better in comparison to the new Wagon R. On the other hand, from side and rear, Wagon R is more attractive. Wagon R also beats Figo in terms of fuel mileage and torque delivery. Moreover, with the strongest nationwide service network of Maruti, Wagon R undoubtedly has an edge over Ford Figo.     

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R LPG/CNG version

Maruti Suzuki offers CNG version of the car under the variant named Wagon R Lxi CNG, while the LPG version is offered as Wagon R Duo. The CNG version is equipped with advanced i-GPI (Intelligent Gas Port Injection System), which ensures the correct distribution of gas into the combustion chamber. It also includes advanced computerised control for switch over from petrol to CNG mode and vice versa. The refuelling process is not very difficult with a nozzle close to the petrol nozzle and advanced technologies make sure that no accident occurs while refuelling or driving stage.

On the other hand, Wagon R Duo again is backed by advanced technologies and includes special suspensions to support the added weight of LPG system. A changeover switch facilitates the choice of fuel, depending on road conditions as one expects better torque while driving in the petrol mode. Though constant switchovers are not advisable and one must switch to petrol mode in city and in a hilly terrain. LPG is suitable for low traffic conditions and gives best results on highways. Basic advantage of this new Wagon R variant is its low running and maintenance cost, which in a way recovers the initial cost difference of the vehicle in few years.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Pros

New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2011 India is equipped with a powerful engine that offers smooth rides and better fuel economy. Spacious interiors and comfortable high sitting position is well complimented by effective air conditioning. 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Cons

New Wagon R car's basic drawback can be easily seen in the technical specifications pertaining to acceleration and minimum turning radius, which amplifies even more severely on roads. Though its high rise design offers more space, it doesn't help much in stability of the vehicle even after an extended wheelbase.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Conclusion

With everything said and written about the vehicle it can be summarised that new Wagon R 2011 offers many choices to the customers at a very reasonable price range. Wagon R offer value for money, as this car is among the few vehicles on road that comes with company fitted CNG and LPG kits. Though one may not like to race around with this vehicle, but it is perfect for small families that are fond of excursions on weekends.