Maruti Ciaz Facelift: This is what it could look like

Maruti is working on a facelifted Ciaz sedan, which is likely to hit the Indian market early next year. Here’s how it could look like.

Yes, this is the Suzuki Alivio (Ciaz in India), which is sold in the Chinese market, and it just got a makeover. The Indian iteration of the facelift could borrow cues from the former. The facelifted Alivio gets new front and rear bumpers, a new front grille, and restyled fog lamp housings.

The profile of the car is untouched but for the revised alloy wheels. On the inside, the car gets an all-black colour scheme, similar to what Maruti offers on the Ciaz S trim. However, Maruti is likely to retain the beige trim for lower variants as Indian buyers consider beige to be a premium trim. While the Chinese version also gets a sunroof, this is a feature that may be skipped for India due to cost considerations.

Delving into changes under the hood, the India-spec Ciaz Facelift is likely to get a new 1.5 liter  petrol engine. This motor is expected to make more power than the current 1.4 liter petrol unit the Ciaz comes with. With a bump up in power and torque numbers, the facelifted car will be better placed to tackle the likes of the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna, whose petrol variants are much more powerful.

The 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbo diesel motor – making 89 Bhp-200 Nm – will be untouched even as Suzuki is developing a new, 1.4 liter diesel motor to replace this engine. The new diesel will make it to the Ciaz in an all-new model, and not through the facelift. The diesel engine may continue using the mild hybrid system. Both the petrol and diesel engines will operate with 5 speed manual gearboxes as standard.

An automatic gearbox option is very likely to be offered on the petrol engine, as is the case currently. In terms of features, Maruti is likely to add equipment on the inside, bringing the facelifted Ciaz up to date with competition. Honda has just facelifted the City and Hyundai has launched an all-new Verna. The time seems ripe for a refreshed Ciaz. Given the fact that the Ciaz Facelift has already been spotted testing in India, the car is likely to show up at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo.