Esteem boost

PITSTOP

One of Maruti Suzuki's workhorses, the Esteem, has been given an upgrade and a downgrade. The upgrade is a comprehensive facelift, while the downgrade is a welcome one "� a substantial revision of the price!

The new look first. In comes a Baleno-like grille, a revised hood, a new bumper, but the same set of clear-lens headlamps at the front. The rear-end treatment is restricted to new taillamps and a marginally tweaked boot lid treatment.

Inside, the new Esteem comes with new upholstery, a silver finished dash and controls, a sporty speedometer, a chrome-tipped hand brake lever and metal-finished gear lever. But the most important physical change is what lies below the car "� it gets tubeless radials. However, there is no change in the drivetrain.

It still comes with the 85 bhp, 1298cc petrol unit and the Peugeot TuD5-powered 57 bhp, 1527cc oilburner.

While the price of the diesel Esteem stays the same (D: Rs 4.87 lakh, Di: Rs 5.14 lakh), there has been a price reduction of the petrol versions. The LX is Rs 4.41 lakh now (down by Rs 45,000), LXi is Rs 4.73 lakh (less by Rs 48,000) and the top-end VXi costs Rs 5.09 lakh (a Rs 54,000 cut) "� all prices ex-showroom Mumbai.

Maruti Udyog Ltd says that they have been able to cut prices because of their effective cost reduction programme. We say that they have effectively ensured the poor Esteem will now plod on for at least five more years.