Maruti Ertiga Launched

The Ertiga will try to do the impossible at least that is what the SUV looks like it is going to do. The SUVbranded as LUV aka Light Utility Weight vehicle will look to rip the estate or weekend cars which hasnever really taken off in India. Previous attempts at this segment have only burnt the manufacturerswho have tried their hand at this segment. India's largest passenger car maker Maruti Suzuki hasrevealed the much awaited Ertiga multi utility vehicle.

The Maruti Ertiga has an overall length that is just 26.5 cms longer than the 4,000 mm limit for taxbenefit. The width of the Ertiga remains the same as the Swift and the height is 1,685mm. The groundclearance is 15mm higher compared to the Swift.

The Ertiga is 300 kg heavier than the Maruti Swift and has a 45-litre fuel tank under the rear seats.However this leads to a cramped third row configuration.

The front seats and the second row 60:40 split bench are tilt and slide adjustable. The dashboard, color,yellow LED backlight, storage spaces, tilt steering, quality materials and soft seats make up the interiorconfiguration.

The engines for the Ertiga are a 1.4-litre K14BVVT petrol engine and the D13A DDiS diesel engine. The1,373cc, 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine delivers a peak power of 95PS at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of130Nm at 4,000 rpm.

The diesel engine is 1,248cc with common rail diesel injection and delivers a peak power of 90PS at4,000 rpm and a peak torque of 200Nm at 1,750 rpm. The engines are mated to a five-speed gearboxwith a mileage of 16.02 kmpl for the petrol and the diesel is 20.77 kmpl.

The Ertiga price starts from Rs 5.89 lakh to Rs 8.45 lakh for all 3 trims of the petrol and diesel versions.

Mr S. Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, said: “Ertiga is a major step forward for Maruti Suzuki.Many urban families in India are now looking for a vehicle that offers more space and flexibility than asedan, without being bulky, bland and expensive like a utility vehicle. These families are currently havingto compromise, and settle for a vehicle which does not meet their lifestyle needs. The Ertiga is designedfor these customers.’’

Maruti Ertiga will be competition to the likes of Toyota Innova, Mahindra Bolero, and Tata Sumo Victa.India is the first market to get the Ertiga and is soon expected to be followed by other South East Asianmarkets, the company said.

The SUV market is currently dominated by Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo, but also come at a higherprice. The Innova with a 2.5 litre diesel engine is priced in Rs 9-13 lakh range while Xylo comes at 7.3lakhs.

The Maruti Ertiga price as per the variants

Ertiga Lxi - Rs 5.89 lakh , Ertiga Vxi - Rs 6.60 lakh, Ertiga Zxi - Rs 7.30 lakh , Ertiga Ldi - Rs 7.30 lakh , ErtigaVdi - Rs 7.90 lakh , Ertiga Zdi - Rs 8.45 lakh