The move to go diesel with the SX4 has been on the cards for a very long time for Maruti Suzuki – in fact, a few weeks back they had it in our list of expected cars for the future, for the second year on the row. Well, the automobile is now set for its launch after all the wait, by the end of February 2011.
The Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel is likely to sport the powered-up 90bhp version of the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS engine. While this is the only diesel engine that Maruti Suzuki has, they expect it to come equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), which would make the automobile more at home in this segment. The same engine with this setup powers the Fiat Linea, so it will be interesting to see how the SX4's brand value does against the stylish french sedan.
The diesel option may not be available in the absolute base version of the current SX4, so we’re pinning a cost of around Rs 8.5 lakh for the most inexpensive version, and around Rs 9.5 lakh ex-showroom for the fully-loaded Diesel SX4.
That will put the automobile bang in the territory of the Fiat Linea Multi Jet, Ford Fiesta TDCi, Hyundai Verna Transform & the Volkswagen Vento TDI. The SX4 has not seen the kind of arms-wide-open welcome that most hatchbacks from Maruti Suzuki have seen, which has meant that it still trails the Honda City in the C-segment sedan market. It remains to be seen if – equipped with both the diesel option & the Maruti brand name – the SX4 can bring some sheen in this space for its makers.
The Maruti Suzuki SX4 Diesel is likely to sport the powered-up 90bhp version of the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS engine. While this is the only diesel engine that Maruti Suzuki has, they expect it to come equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), which would make the automobile more at home in this segment. The same engine with this setup powers the Fiat Linea, so it will be interesting to see how the SX4's brand value does against the stylish french sedan.
The diesel option may not be available in the absolute base version of the current SX4, so we’re pinning a cost of around Rs 8.5 lakh for the most inexpensive version, and around Rs 9.5 lakh ex-showroom for the fully-loaded Diesel SX4.
That will put the automobile bang in the territory of the Fiat Linea Multi Jet, Ford Fiesta TDCi, Hyundai Verna Transform & the Volkswagen Vento TDI. The SX4 has not seen the kind of arms-wide-open welcome that most hatchbacks from Maruti Suzuki have seen, which has meant that it still trails the Honda City in the C-segment sedan market. It remains to be seen if – equipped with both the diesel option & the Maruti brand name – the SX4 can bring some sheen in this space for its makers.
