Maruti Suzuki, India's leading small car manufacturer, is looking to turn its fortunes around with a flurry of new launches. Among major models, the company is expected to showcase a small car, MR Wagon, at the upcoming 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo. The event, to be held in the month of January, will act as a teaser for the company and help it gauge market sentiment regarding this small car. The vehicle will be launched along with another small car belonging to Suzuki, Palette. Though company officials have specifically denied that these will be launched soon, one of the two cars is expected to hit the roads by the end of the next two or three years.
The new Maruti Suzuki MR Wagon, termed a kei in Japan, is expected to have a smaller capacity engine than Maruti Alto, the top selling 800 cc car. Though the car will be assimilated with a sub-800 cc engine, it will not be positioned to compete against Tata Nano, world's cheapest car. With this car, Maruti hopes to create a market for a vehicle with a small engine but spacious interiors. Moreover, it is expected that the small car will be priced higher than Maruti Alto in India.
Maruti Suzuki has been marred with poor sales figures in the small car segment, which is growing, due to growing competition from other car makers. New launches like Hyundai Eon and Honda Brio have especially hit the market share of India's largest car manufacturer in India. Hopefully, new launches like the MR Wagon will help it in recapturing lost consumers and attain the strong position in the market.
Engine and Specifications of Maruti Suzuki MR Wagon
The upcoming MR Wagon is expected to be powered by a 660 cc Suzuki engine that is well known in Japan, though it remains unknown in the subcontinent. This 3 cylinder engine produces peak power of 54 bhp at 6500 rpm and maximum torque of 63 Nm at 4000 rpm. However, the car may also be available with a turbocharged engine that offers increased power of 64 bhp.
Performance of Maruti Suzuki MR Wagon
The reason for the fame of Suzuki's 660 cc engine is its excellent fuel economy, which stands at a stupendous 32 kmpl. It should be available in the Indian auto market with manual as well as automatic transmission systems, which will be a welcome change for small car buyers in the country. This petrol powered car should also be assimilated with disk brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear, providing drivers with total control of the vehicle even on the most slippery roads.
Interior, Exterior & Safety of Maruti Suzuki MR Wagon
It is expected that the manufacturer will price the upcoming MR Wagon more than its Alto, which costs Rs. 2.86 lacs in India. The reason for a hefty price tag will be the unique exteriors and spacious interiors. This car stands 3395 mm long, 1475 mm wide and 1735 mm high, making it an extremely spacious car with a small engine. The unique look of the car is characterised by an uncharacteristically high hood with headlights that are reminiscent of beady eyes. The exteriors are quite plain, in spite of the presence of body coloured Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs), though Indian buyers may warm up to it as the Japanese have.
The Japanese version of the car has sufficient seating capacity for 5 passengers and nothing less is expected for the Indian market. Its notable interior features include air conditioning with climate control, power windows, remote central locking and remote boot and fuel filler. Manual driver seat adjustment mechanism, electric door mirrors on both sides, steering-mounted controls and foldable rear seats are also present in the car. In terms of safety, the car should sport two airbags, fog lamps, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), rear seatbelts and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Fact Sheet:
| Make | Maruti Suzuki |
| Model | MR Wagon |
| Fuel Types | Petrol |
| Price Range | Rs. 4-5 lacs |
| Key Specifications |
660 cc, 54 bhp/64 bhp at 6500 rpm, 63 Nm at 4000 rpm
Dual airbags, ABS, EBD
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