After tasting success with Celerio AMT, Maruti could bestow more of its models with AMT gearbox. Among the Maruti cars that are speculated to be equipped with the popular automated manual transmission Ritz, Wagon R and Alto K 10 are included from its hatchback segment. Besides these cars, Swift Dzire compact sedan and the upcoming mid-sized Ciaz sedan could also be affixed with AMT tranny.
Maruti became a pioneer by rendering Celerio hatchback in AMT gearbox, the vehicle made grand entry into the domestic market on February 7, 2014 at the 12thAuto Expo held in Greater Noida. This is probably the India’s most affordable vehicle proffered with clutch-less option at Rs 3.76 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Maruti’s gamble of introducing AMT gearbox in fluctuating Indian car market has paid well as the Celerio hatchback has been received very well by the customers. Within two months of its launch, Celerio has 35,000 bookings in hand with almost 49% of bookings accounting for the AMT version. What makes automatic manual transmission score more over the conventional automatic gearbox is the fact that the former delivers higher performance than the latter, besides this, AMT tranny is cheaper than AT gearbox.
The car maker is also said to be passing on this AMT version to other popular models from its India stable, the most talked about car that is likely to be sold with AMT gearbox is Alto K10. The hatchback is already extremely popular in A+ segment, most of the first time buyers opt for Alto K10 as it is affordable.Availability of AMT transmission in the hatchback will give it an edge over its rivals. Alto K10 AMT is expected to be launched in India by the end of this year. Yet another hatchback from Maruti which is speculated to come with AMT gearbox is Wagon R, the vehicle is equipped with the same motor as seen in Alto K10 and Celerio. The launch of Wagon R AMT is rumoured to happen by early next year.
Among the B segment hatchback, Maruti is eyeing introducing Ritz with AMT transmission. However we would have loved to see Maruti Swift in AMT version, but there is no such possibility as of now. Ritz is already available in automatic transmission; therefore probability of the vehicle coming with a much affordable and viable AMT version is higher. If not Swift hatchback, then its longer sibling Swift Dzire compact sedan could be made available in AMT version. A new version of the car is in the making and is rumoured to break cover during festive season.
From Maruti’s C segment which is currently going through a low phase, upcoming Ciaz sedan is expected to be proffered in AMT version. The SX4 replacement could be launched in India during third quarter. After garnering a good response at the 2014 Auto Expo in February, the car is being anticipated highly by auto aficionados. To boost its presence in C segment, Maruti could think of rolling out AMT variant of Ciaz.
Automated manual transmission is currently being imported by the automaker from Magneti Marelli, however if the demand for the AMT version remains high or rises in coming time it could be manufactured in India.
