New Maruti Swift Dzire First Drive

Maruti Swift Dzire 2012

Maruti Swift Dzire will make its compact avatar version available next month, heating up the temperatures in the entry-level sedan segment in the world's second-fastest growing car market.

Looks do not matter and certainly the Swift Dzire is a true example of the statement. The function, practicality and cost factor have played a major role in the decision making process of consumers who are looking for a car that is a complete value for money and simply augurs well with their nature. In fact very few cars have been able to replicate this kind of success. Such is the nature of the Swift Dzire. In fact it took us quite some time to come to terms with the fact that how the MSIL could fit a boot onto a car that was designed to be round. Cut to 2012 and the Swift Dzire numbers have clocked over 10,000 units a month and the company has sold over 3.3 lakh units till date in the domestic market.

The new Dzire has been designed to fit the 4000mm length requirement that the Indian Government has stipulated as the definition in size for small cars and therefore benefit from the additional excise cut. This simply means the new Swift Dzire is a lot cheaper. The new Swift Dzire will however have a lost bit of the boot space due to the cost advantage but it still holds in good stead in terms of the storage space.

The car will also be refreshed with the new front bumper with a wider smile, shorter boot (just 145mm longer than the Swift) and new tail lamps with chrome accent giving the car a bit of extra zing. The company says that the new Dzire will be completely new from the A-pillar rearwards when compared to the new Swift that it is based on.

The occupants have improved room space as the new Dzire is 25mm taller. Amazingly the kerb weight of the car still is the same as the Swift. With the same winner wheelbase design of the Swift hatch means the Dzire is one sweet handling car on our hands.

The Dzire will be run on both the petrol and diesel engine which is again no prizes for guessing as it is the same as the ones available on the Swift. The gear box will be mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission joining the regular 5 speed manual.

The insides of the car are also a copy of the Swift except for the addition of a two tone beige color scheme adding a touch of class to the car.

The Petrol version seems the clear cut winner on the track and the Dzire handles just as good as the swift. The New Maruti Swift Dzire is sure to be the desire of many a people. The New Swift Dzire would only further dent the hopes of Toyota Etios Liva, Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai i20.