Only In India - The Tale of Compact Sedan

If there's one weird category of vehicle, this is one of it. In India, there is an incentive in terms of excise duty slash for a compact car  measuring less 4.0m and has engine capacity of maximum 1.2L for petrol and 1.5L for diesel. Instead of the usual 24% tax, the compact sedan is charged only 12%. This segment is lucrative and growing big. Mid last year, this segment grows by 30% while the India total automotive market grows at only 7.2%. 

Manufacturer is rushing to capitalize on this loop hole. They aim to give the maximum to the buyer at the lower side of 4.0m. The tax incentive will make it a credible business case as the final price will entice the buyer from sedan segment up, and worth the weird solution or awkward silhouette. The most popular approach is to lengthen the hatchback to the brim of 4.0m, while there are also manufacturer that chopped the tail of their sedan instead. We now heard Volkswagen is developing a challenger for this segment in based on Volkswagen Up architecture and Toyota too is working on a sedanized Toyota Etios Liva which is already based on the sedan Etios.

Honda Amaze (Honda Brio Amaze outside India) is the current biggest seller of the segment, and it has placed Honda as the top four manufacturer in India recently. It has displaced the previous class stalwart, Maruti Swift Dzire. Lets have a look at the popular offering in this segment.

As we know Honda Amaze it is the booted version of Honda Brio. You can check the launch detail <HERE>. It is 3,990mm long (remember the limit is 4,000mm), some 380mm longer than Honda Brio Hatchback and sits on 60mm longer wheelbase at 2,405mm. Apart from having a cushier seats than its rival, its 400L boot volume is commanding too. It has the usual Honda quality which results in more premium looking bodystyle and cabin finish compared to the model developed in the India homeland.

The other competitor is Maruti Swift Dzire. It is based on Suzuki Swift we all like, but with the boot strapped behind and manufactured by Indian's Maruti. The boot is supershort, it needs to be to slip below 4.0m at 3,991m as the donor Swift is already 3,850mm in the first place. Sharing 2,430mm with the hatchback, the poor boot volume of the hatchback has been increased to a more credible 316L. 

The newest challenger coming this year is Mahinda Verito Vibe. Verito is the rehashed Dacia Logan, which took the world by storm last decade with its 5,000 Euros cars. Having it second life in India, Mahinda has chopped the tail to comply with the compact car rule. No one thought that the boot can be any shorter than Swift Dzire, but Mahinda has different idea. Measuring 3,991mm long, it is much shorter than the 4,277mm sedan it is based on. The boot also is a hybrid between hatchback and sedan whereby it is hatchback in look, but open in sedan style. 

Can we implement the same strategy in Malaysia? Instead of giving incentive to hybrid cars which is beyond reach for many people, why don't we populate the low end of the market. It could kill the national car, but if in return we can have so many specialized model from the global manufacturer why not? What about unregulating only one segment of the market, let's say compact MPV with engine capacity of less than 1.5L, accomodate 7 people and maximum 4.2m in length? Or a 4 door segment with maximum 1.0L engine capacity and 400L boot?

More information about any of these cars can be obtained from India website linked below:

Mahinda Verito Vibe

Maruti Swift Dzire

Honda Amaze

3rd Generation Suzuki Swift Launched - RM77,888

Suzuki Malaysia Automobile has officially launched the third generation Suzuki Swift to our market. Coming in CBU from imported from Thailand, it is priced at RM77,888 and you can add up the bodykit for RM5,300. The CKD model will be available soon, as SMA only imported handy unit of the CBU car.

The new Suzuki Swift measures 3,850mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,510mm tall while riding on a 2,430mm wheelbase. Compared to the current car, the new Suzuki Swift is 90mm longer in total while the wheelbase is up by 50mm. It is also 5mm wider while the height is retained. While the extended wheelbase has lend a greater interior volume, Autocar UK quoted a better legroom and the rear occupants can tuck their feet underneath the front seat. While headroom is at the premium, the seats offer a good thigh support. The boot space is slightly smaller than before at 210L.

The new Swift is powered by K14B 1,372cc offering 94bhp@6,000rpm of power while torque is 130Nm@4,000rpm. The engine is 100cc smaller than before, and the output is good deal less compared to the 101hp and 133Nm available previously. The transmission is a 4-speed automatic. Suzuki said the reduction in engine power is accompanied by weight reduction and thus results in no performance lost.

Suzuki Swift retained the architecture of the previous car with its McPherson strut up front and torsion beam rear suspension. Suzuki Swift is always known for its keen handling. The new one should be the same. Autocar UK quoted it as "handles tidily, strong grip, excellent body control and balance, strong brakes, unexpectedly pliant and relaxing rides" but slightly let down by the slightly disconnected steering and prone to cross-wind interruption.

Additional photos can be found after the jump.

Suzuki Swift Coming Soon - From RM77,888

The 3rd generation Suzuki Swift is coming to our shore, and really soon in fact as the advertisement has already start popping up in the mudah.my website. The car also has been spotted on the transporter so it is clear that launch is imminent.

Asthetically, the 3rd generation Suzuki Swift carries similar design trend as the current car. Overall silhouette, roof pillar and the lamp shapes are familiar, albeit they are elongated to offer a more dynamic look.

The new Suzuki Swift measures 3,850mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,510mm tall while riding on a 2,430mm wheelbase. Compared to the current car, the new Suzuki Swift is 90mm longer in total while the wheelbase is up by 50mm. It is also 5mm wider while the height is retained. While the extended wheelbase has lend a greater interior volume, Autocar UK quoted a better legroom and the rear occupants can tuck their feet underneath the front seat. While headroom is at the premium, the seats offer a good thigh support. The boot space is slightly smaller than before at 210L.

The interior design is vastly different from the current Swift with a better designed dashboard which is less plain the 2nd generation car. The audio setup follows the same theme as the bigger brother Kizashi.

Malaysian car is bound to receive K14B 1,372cc offering 94bhp@6,000rpm of power while torque is 130Nm@4,000rpm. The engine is 100cc smaller than before, and the output is good deal less compared to the 101hp and 133Nm available previously. The transmission is likely to a 4-speed automatic like the one found in Singaporean market, unlike the Swift in other market which is available with CVT gearbox. More detail after the jump.

Suzuki quits American market

American Motor Suzuki Corporation (ASMC) has called it a day in the US, as far as automobile is concern. ASMC issued a press statement outlining its restructuring of bussiness and intend to focus more on the area where it is doing well, namely motorcycles, ATV and marine engine market. This means that Suzuki will stop selling its cars and trucks once stock sold out.

Suzuki cited the justification for its action is due to low sales volume, limited model in product range, uncompetitive exchange rate, increased of cost in maintaining distribution system and stricter legislation for forthcoming years. We think that lack of sales is main culprit, and thus it makes no sense to invest further for sales and service facilities. Currently Suzuki is selling its SX4 (sedan and hatchback), Kizashi sedan, Grand Vitara SUV and Equator truck (rebadged of Nissan Frontier). Suzuki has been selling its automobile product in US for 3 decades now but it has never managed to capture the interest of the American buyer.

Full statement from Suzuki can be found after the jump.

Suzuki Alto facelift showcased in Chengdu

Suzuki Alto has been updated with a renewed front end design as well as some minor aesthetic enhancement at the rear. The car was showcased at Chengdu motorshow. The updated front end has lost the cheeky-look of its forebear, and Suzuki has instead smashed in a more formal looking set of lighting and bumper. 

The teardrop-shaped headlamp made way for a squarer item which extends deeper into the fender. The single large radiator grille also has been replaced with more angular item which starts higher-up in a more conventional position instead of being positioned low down as previously. Large Suzuki emblem sits prominently in the new grille.

At the back, changes are more subtle. While the pert stance remained, the cheeky bulbous rear bumper has revised, as if it was smashed from behind to be more squarer. The bumper is made more distinctive by the incorporation of black lower garnish. While there is no sheet metal change at the back, the appearance is further modified with the new rear light internals.

The interior has been updated too with the new door trim. It now incorporates a longer arm rest+power window panel that run all the way to the top section of the door trim. The China car also boasts additional color insert within the cabin to boost the cheerful image the car portrayed.

Suzuki Alto is on sale in Malaysia since August 2010. It is Indian-CBU and available in GA-spec manual (RM44,888) all the way to GXS (RM54,888). It comes in 996cc triplet cylinder and measures just 3,500mm in length. Some more photos after the jump.

Suzuki Kizashi launched in Malaysia -from RM147,888

Suzuki Malaysia Automobile (SMA) has launched the D-segment sedan Kizashi to Malaysia market. The model has been rumoured to be launched since last year, but it takes a whole quarter of 2012 to finally debuted here. Unlike many cars with many permutation of drivetrain to select from, the Kizashi is available only with 2.4L gasoline engine .So this is the enginethat we got here. However, some markets are offered with AWD option, and 6 speed manual box, but Malaysia-bound Kizashi will all be FWD and drive a CVT. To create the differentiation between models, and to spruce up the entry pricing, SMA has offered Kizashi in 2 trims, aptly named SDLX and Sport. 

Kizashi SDLX is priced at RM147,888 and generously equipped with six airbags, traction control, ESP, factory fitted leather seats, electrical seat adjustment,  auto cruise, keyless entry, starter button, whole plethora of ABS, EBD, BA and Hill Assist, front & rear parking sensor, auto folding side mirror, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto levelling HID headlamps with washer and 17" alloy wheels shod by 215/55 R17 tyres. 

The Sport version is pitched at RM153,188 and comes with larger 18" alloy wrapped by 235/45 R18 tyres, 10mm lower ride height courtesy of sports suspension, sportier front bumper design encompassing meshed pattern lower radiator intake, fog lamp surround and chrome lining. The package also include more pronounced sills with door garnish and rear duck tail spoiler completes the exterior enhancement. On the inside, Sport version is garnished with silver stitching on leathered trim parts. More after the jump.

Maruti-Suzuki Ertiga launched at Delhi Auto Show

*Updated on 8/1/12 with new Maruti-Suzuki Ertiga gallery.
The Maruti-Suzuki group has launched the Ertiga MPV at Delhi Auto show today. Aside from the much-awaited MPV, Suzuki attended the Delhi auto show with all its car line-up such as the Dzire, Estilo, Ritz apart from more recognizable names such as Grand Vitara, SX4 and Kizashi. Themed "Way of life", Suzuki aimed to capture the dynamics state of today's life - one which is packed with many joyful moments. They have cars for every category of the market, segregated as Excitement(YL8, new Dzire, Mini SUV), Superbike, Spirit(Estilo, Wagon R, Alto, Swift), Value (MR Wagon, Solio and Palette), Sporty(Kizashi, Grand Vitara, SX4) and and Straightforward(Eeco, Omni).   

Ertiga sits on the stretched Suzuki Swift platform, which has seen the wheelbase lengthened to 2,745mm. 3 rows of seat are cleverly packaged within the 4,265mm of total length. The width stands at 1,695mm while height is capped at 1,685mm. 

The styling is unmistakably Suzuki, with elongated headlight flanking the large radiator grille. The pronounced wheelarches are among styling cues borrowed from the smaller Swift. The rear end meanwhile is neatly styled with small rear light. 

The cabin housed 3 row of seats, arranged in typical 2+3+2 layout. The flexibility of both rear rows allow the tuning of compromised between people and luggage. The IP carries similar design theme to the new Suzuki Swift, albeit it is trimmed in beige in Ertiga, as Maruti-Suzuki attempts to lift the interior ambiance to the near premium level. Twin aircond unit is featured across the range to cool down the occupants right to the last row.

The interior is visibly for stylish compared to, lets say, a Perodua Alza/Daihatsu Boon Luminas. The two-tone IP, where the darker upper portion is accented with silver linings really lifts the ambiance. The front door trim has a silver insert too. I guess this is the Japanese design prowess, which differs greatly from Malaysian-grown designer.

Suzuki debuted its new small powertrain unit, dubbed K14B. Displacing 1.4L, the new powertrain produced 94bhp@6000rpm and 130Nm@4000rpm. Fuel consumption is quoted to be 16 km/L. 1.3L DDiS diesel engine will be made available too, with 89bhp and 200Nm of power and torque available on tap.

The new Maruti-Suzuki Ertiga will be available in the Indian market beginning in March or early April 2012. More after the jump.

Ertiga - an Avanza rival from Suzuki

Maruti-Suzuki is expected to launch their latest MPV at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012. The Indian made small MPV is expected to deliver a strong challenge to the Toyota Avanza in the Asian countries. Press in Indonesia are also talking about the arrival of this Avanza-killer.

Unlike the budget Toyota MPV, Ertiga is not a lorry-based. Instead it sits on a Suzuki Ritz platfrom. The wheelbase however has been lengthened by a massive 380mm, totalling 2,740mm. For comparison, Perodua Alza wheelbase is 2,750mm and Toyota Avanza is 2,665mm and Proton Exora is 2,730mm. However, at 4,265mm, Suzuki Ertiga is quite close to Perodua Alza 4,205mm long, and longer than Avanza 4,140mm but dwarfed by Proton Exora 4,592mm.

The silhouette of Suzuki Ertiga is a resemblace to Perodua Alza too, with an elongated car-like side profile and reverse kink rear quarter glass. The Ertiga was previewed as Maritu RIII some years back, but the production car resemble anything but that RIII. The front end is unmistakably Suzuki, with the new Swift overtones to it. The rear end is characterized by wrap-around rear lights, which does not follow the trend of opting for vertically-mounted item like most of its rival out there.More details after the jump.

Suzuki Swift GX - cheaper than ever

Suzuki Malaysia has added a GX version of its popular Swift model, in addition to the recently launched GLX and GXS variant. The car is essentially a pre-GLX/GXS , meaning that it does not get the higher spec Swift Sport inspired front and rear bumpers, skirting, expressively-styled rear spoilers and new graphic for rear combi. In addition (or reduction rather) to those, you will also lose the integrated double DIN audio system, in come the Blaupunkt single DIN audio with USB reader and some storage space beneath it, retractable side mirror with indicator and rear headrest are all gone missing. Digital information screen and key less entry were deleted too. What you will get is just a good-old-Swift with much admired sweet handling, yours for just RM65,888 OTR.

However, Suzuki Malaysia luckily did not strip bare the equipment, as the cheapest Swift still retained its

Refreshed Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Malaysia refreshed its Suzuki Swift hatchback, now comes in GLX and GXS guises. The GLX cost RM 75,788, a couple of grand more than outgoing model. The GXS comes in at RM81,888. Opting for GXS gained you leather seats, V-kool tint and a so-called ThreeBond Ultra Glass Coating Neo.

The car essentially is a comestic updates, perhaps as a gap filler while the third generation making its way here. Updates made are new, deeper front bumper with sportier side skirts.

At the rear, rear combi gained a new internal graphics, while the rear bumper get a new garnish design, complete with honeycomb mesh. The 'expressively' styled spoiler complete the rear styling enhancement.

 Continue reading after the jump.