Maruti Suzuki Swift goes for a Windsong

The Maruti Suzuki Swift has now received a Windsong Edition on its VXi Petrol and VDi Diesel variants. The special edition of the top-selling B+ segment hatchback receives cosmetic and feature changes. Cosmetic changes on the car’s outside includes mud flaps, decals on the bonnet, flanks and boot lid, and a hatch lid spoiler. On the inside, the Swift receives seat covers, steering wheel cover, illuminated sill guards, PVC floor mats, ambient lighting, a Sony touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth, USB, CD and DVD playback. Black and yellow are the new colour schemes on the car.  A reverse parking camera with sensors rounds off the feature additions on the special edition model.

Under the hood, things remain unchanged. The 1.2 liter K-Series petrol motor with 87 Bhp-114 Nm outputs and the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbo diesel engine with 74 Bhp-190 Nm outputs continue doing duty on the car, along with 5 speed manual transmissions. In terms of fuel efficiency, the car continues to return excellent figures, with the petrol ARAI rated at 20.4 Kmpl while the diesel manages 25.2 Kmpl. The VXi Windsong edition is priced at 5.14 lakh rupees, with the diesel variant in VDi flavour going for 6.1 lakh rupees, all prices reflecting ex-showroom Delhi figures.

The Swift’s chassis begs for more power and torque, and while Suzuki sells hopped up variants of the hatchback in markets abroad, the automaker’s Indian division has studiously stayed away from launching sporty variants here. With competition mounting, sporty variants of the Swift with a larger 1.4 liter K-Series petrol and a more powerful state of tune for the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet diesel are what will bring the enthusiasts back to the Maruti fold. Meanwhile, the automaker is working on a new premium hatchback to be positioned above the Swift.

Dubbed the YRA, the car will be launched later this year, with petrol and turbo diesel engine options. Both manual and automatic transmission options will be offered on the petrol powered variants. The car will take on the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GT twins, the Hyundai i20 Elite and the upcoming Honda Jazz premium hatchbacks. The YRA will be the most expensive hatchback in Maruti Suzuki’s car line up. The car represents Maruti’s steady upward climb, into premium segments it was hitherto absent in. The Ciaz C-Segment sedan was the first such vehicle.