Click above (if you must) for more of the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire
It's a shame that more of Suzuki's line-up isn't as well designed and executed as the nimble little Swift hatchback. But we swear, this was not what we had in mind.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the country's largest automaker and majority owned its the Japanese parent company, has taken the wraps off of the ironically named Swift DZire today, initial spy shots of which we lamented several months ago. Rather contrary to its name, we're left wondering what's so desirable about a trunk that it's worth butchering erstwhile attractive hatchbacks. The resulting conversion ends up looking like the hatch version, only with a tumor growing out the back. Maruti calls its "The Heart Car", but we'll go for the bypass, thank you very much.
More details are available at the DZire micro site, in the press release after the jump, and images in the gallery below for those with bizarre fascinations.
[Source: Maruti Suzuki]PRESS RELEASE:
Swift DZire set to create excitement in entry sedan segment
New Delhi, March 26, 2008: Car market leader Maruti Suzuki today unveiled the much awaited Swift DZire.
Like the earlier Maruti Suzuki models, Swift and SX4, the DZire too is set to redefine the market and stir excitement in the entry level sedan segment. The DZire, which comes both in diesel and petrol engines, offers luxury feature options like integrated stereo, steering mounted audio controls, automatic climate control and power windows. It also comes with safety features like Dual Airbags, ABS with EDB, collapsible steering column and an i-CATS anti-theft facility. Many of these features are being offered for the first time in this segment.
Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki, S Nakanishi said: "The DZire is the seventh model Maruti Suzuki has launched in the last three years. It has a special place in our product strategy. Millions of Indians own compact cars. With growing incomes and better lifestyle, many of them want to upgrade to a sedan. But today, they are not able to find an entry level sedan that offers style, features and performance. The DZire offers all this, and at an attractive price."
Performance with Prestige
DZire offers customers the prestige associated with a sedan, while retaining the famed performance of the Swift hatch back. The Swift had, from the start, been conceived as a car that would be offered both as a hatchback as well as a sedan.
For the eleven Maruti Suzuki engineers who worked on the design of the DZire, the challenge was to integrate the boot into the overall personality of the Swift, while imparting the elegance of a sedan. In providing a high style quotient, the engineers have integrated the boot with just 30 Kilograms added to the car's weight ! The suspension and engine have been tuned for the sedan.Owing to this, the DZire has the highest power-to-weight ratio in its category. This ensures best performance and superior fuel efficiency.
The petrol version of DZire comes with a 1.3 litre, 16 valve, ALTec 32 engine, with a maximum 87 bhp at 6000 rpm. The diesel version comes with the 1.3 litre DDiS engine, offering a torque of 190 Nm at 2000 rpm.
DZire is offered in seven colours: Arctic White, Silky Silver, Clear Beige, Midnight Black, Bright Red, Azure Gray and Sovereign Blue.
Best of both worlds - more features, attractive price
In recent years, Maruti Suzuki has consistently delivered more features than competitor cars, at prices that are comparable or lower. This has been the reason for the resounding success of Swift (Petrol as well as Diesel), Zen Estilo and SX4.
With the DZire, Maruti Suzuki will take the story forward. Commonising platforms is emerging as a global best practice. This enables manufacturers to minimise duplication and prevent wastage. They are able to offer more features and superior styling in car models, at an attractive price.
The DZire is the latest example. By commonising platforms, Maruti Suzuki is able to offer more features and superior styling, while keeping the price attractive.Maruti Suzuki designers and engineers have worked to control the noise, vibration and harshness levels, thus ensuring the best in class driving pleasure and comfort.
A3 segment's new leader - Maruti Suzuki
While continuing to lead India's small car market, Maruti Suzuki has emerged as the market leader in the A3 segment as well during 2007-08. The company has sold a total of 41800 units in the last 11 months (Apr-Feb 2008) in the domestic market. This is the highest number of cars for any manufacturer in the A3 segment, according to the recent industry results published by SIAM.
The popularity of Maruti Suzuki cars in A3 segment also suggests that it has successfully expanded its image from being the leader in small cars to a company offering the full range of cars. With the launch of DZire in the A3 segment, the company is set to widen choice for the customer and further increase its lead over the competition.
| Petrol | LXI | VXI | ZXI |
| Price(Rs) | 4.49 lakhs | 4.97 lakhs | 5.90 Lakhs |
| Diesel | LDI | VDI | ZDI |
| Price(Rs) | 5.39 Lakhs | 5.85 Lakhs | 6.70 Lakhs |
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chaz @ Mar 26th 2008 3:45PM
back end looks like a mkIII Lantra/Elantra-another car that looks better as a hatch. like the SX4. And Verve. And Focus....
Craig @ Mar 26th 2008 3:50PM
I was just about to say that. It's like an Elantra rear-ended a Suzuki designer in a Swift one day, and he got out and though "that looks kinda nice". Which it does not.
cellularcoffee @ Mar 26th 2008 4:58PM
It looks like J. Lo.
BLS @ Mar 26th 2008 3:46PM
That is 10 kinds of nasty.
Gregg @ Mar 26th 2008 3:53PM
When I have been in India the past few years I have wondered why Maruti Suzuki had the updated Swift and we only got the Aerio and Reno for small cars here. The US needs a car like the old Geo Metro/Swift again in updated form, and this car would fill that bill.
There's a long history of grafting trunks on hatchbacks with questionable results. The first and second generation Jettas looked exactly like the Rabbit/Golf with a not-too-well integrated trunk. Finally, in 1999, they managed to draw it as an attractive little 4 door in its own right. Still, the first Jettas were great little rides, even if not pretty. I suspect the DZire will be the same.
Craig @ Mar 26th 2008 6:31PM
In Canada we have a lamely rebadged Aveo under the Swift nameplate. If Suzuki NA does anything with a car under the SX4, it'll probably something along that line for cost reasons.
Speaking of actually - I'm not sure if the Suzuki Swift has been discontinued in Canada or not, as all it's parent cars will have had a facelift. Most likely it'll get one too, but it might also be a chance to abandone it (in Canada there's not only the Suzuki Swift accompanying the Chevy Aveo - there's also the Pontiac Wave).
Mr. Oak @ Mar 26th 2008 3:55PM
So, why is it that I do NOT DZire one.
Mike Homeniuk @ Mar 26th 2008 3:56PM
Gotta love the legroom in the back ;-)
Dale @ Mar 26th 2008 3:57PM
Looks like a cross between a Sentra and a dolphin... so much for hybrid cars.
Daniel @ Mar 26th 2008 4:00PM
Good to know I'm not the only one who saw the Nissan influence.
Xcountryflyer @ Mar 26th 2008 5:25PM
Looked like a Sentra mated with the final generation Toyota Echo's rear-end and neither of them are great looking cars and this one ugly car. DZire--more like DZerted.
Bob-omb @ Mar 27th 2008 11:22AM
Nope, looks a LOT like the sedan Versa. Which is another example of a car that looks great in hatch form and ridiculous as a sedan.
Dausman @ Mar 26th 2008 4:04PM
Rear leg room kinda tight...he doesn't look very tall/long legged either.
Diesel power is interesting...what mpg range? Might be able to drive a month on a tank.
nardi @ Mar 26th 2008 4:05PM
Ford execs who think bringing in a sedan version of the Fiesta is a good idea should look long and hard at this and the Yaris sedan. Small cars should be a HATCH goddamit.
tomiii @ Mar 26th 2008 4:06PM
I just had a flash of a grey Doc Marten.
ken_aisin @ Mar 26th 2008 4:08PM
I suppose North Americans's dislikes in hatchbacks causes manufacturers to add an ugly trunk in everything they sell.
tankd0g @ Mar 26th 2008 4:08PM
Anyone else notice Suzuki always releases a really hot concept car right before a really soul suckingly bland production car?
ken_aisin @ Mar 26th 2008 4:24PM
I haven't seen any good thing coming from Suzuki other than the Hayabusa.
Gregg @ Mar 26th 2008 4:15PM
I just noticed that it has a Bangle butt!
Haon @ Mar 26th 2008 4:16PM
Wow. Talk about taking slams from the ugly stick.