Maruti Suzuki expects its upcoming model Ritz, based on the Swift platform, to sell about 9,000 units a month. The company’s confidence to sell high volumes of this model stems from the success of Swift, which was its fastest model to cross a sale of 3 lakh units in three years and eight months.
“I cannot tell the exact number. But we hope to do as many units as Swift,” the Maruti Suzuki Managing Director, Mr Shinzo Nakanishi, told journalists.
Mr Nakanishi admitted that there could be cannibalisation between Swift and Ritz, but he explained, “The Ritz will be positioned more as a family car. The Swift is more of a sporty car.” The Ritz, which is known as Splash globally, will be launched in India this month powered by a 1.2 litre engine. It will be launched both in the petrol and diesel variants at the same time. The Hindu
Based on the Swift platform, the Ritz is just 3.7 metres long. Designed to replace the Wagon-R in European markets, the Ritz is about 18 centimetres longer. The design of the car is in line with the current range of Suzukis and despite the tall boy approach, it looks less top heavy than the boxy Wagon-R. With the extra length, it has managed to liberate more interior room and this makes it a better environment to be in. Like always, there are bits and pieces of the Swift that can be found on the inside, but the overall quality is better than the Wagon-R.
With near similar underpinnings and the option of a petrol engine to begin with, the Maruti Ritz will take on the likes of the Hyundai i10 Kappa with its new K12M engine. This 1197cc four-cylinder uses a DOHC configuration just like the Kappa, but produces even more power. Rated at 84 bhp@6000 rpm, the power figure is just as impressive as the torque — at 11.4 kgm@4500 rpm. So how come Maruti have managed to pull it off? Well, they’ve adopted an all-aluminium engine with an innovative rocker-less DOHC camshaft, a distributorless ignition system, lighter pistons and nut-less conrods and a new silent timing chain to reduce NVH. BS Motoring
Ritz will be available with two different engine options: a brand new K-series of 1.2 litres, four-cylinder, 85PS petrol engine and a 1.3 litre, 16-valve, 75PS diesel engine, the company said.
With the launch of this new model, Maruti aims to command the A2 segment as the company has been already holding a market share of 58 per cent. Overall, Ritz is a blend of European model, the sportiness of Swift and Suzuki’s expertise in making compact cars. Newstrack India
