India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, accounts for half of the small car sales in the Indian car market. The company has been doing superbly in the small car segment, while it failed to generate volumes with its big cars including SX4 sedan, Grand Vitara and others. Now, Maruti is planning to change the course by introducing some class-leading products in the market. It will first launch a mid-sized sedan, which is expected to be named as "Ciaz". This model will replace the SX4 sedan and is likely to be launched by the end of this year.
Codenamed as YL1, the vehicle is likely to be unveiled at the upcoming 2014 Indian Auto Expo. This sedan has already been spotted several times during its test rounds. Based on a completely new platform, the new mid-sized sedan's design will be inspired from the Suzuki Authentics concept which was showcased at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. The interior design, features and engines could be shared with the Ertiga and Swift.
The Ciaz is expected to be powered by the same 1.4-litre K2 petrol engine, fitted in the Ertiga, which is capable of developing 94bhp of power and 130Nm of peak torque. Diesel model is likely to get the new 1.6-litre Fiat's Multi-jet engine. The company could also fit the 1.3-litre DDiS mill that churns out a maximum power output of 89bhp.
Maruti Suzuki India will also launch the Celerio hatchback at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, which will replace the A-Star and Estilo. Moreover, the company will also have plans to unveil the Swift and Dzire facelift, and iV-4 crossover concept at the event.
This is all what we have for now, stay tuned to CarDekho for all the latest updates on the same. Cheers!
Source : CarDekho - Maruti Suzuki YL1 sedan could be named as Ciaz, to replace SX4 in India