മാരുതി സ്വിഫ്റ്റ് Dzire 2014-2017 സിഎക്‌സ്ഐ

MSIL has launched the facelifted version of its most successful compact sedan, Dzire in the Indian car market. The company has introduced it with various exterior as well as interior updates for increasing their sales. At present, this sub 4-meter sedan series is being sold in both petrol and diesel variants in several trim levels. Among them, Maruti Swift Dzire ZXI is the top end petrol variant. On the outside, there are quite a few cosmetic updates in terms of a new bumper, restyled headlamps with smoked innards, a brand new radiator grille with a thick chrome slat, fog lamp housing with chrome accentuation and new design alloy wheels. This top end variant now gets power foldable outside rear view mirrors, which are also integrated with side turn indicators. At the same time, this compact sedan is available in four new colors for the buyers to select from. The list of new exterior paint options include Alp Blue, Cave Black, Magma Grey and Sangria Red. At the same time, its internal section also gets modifications like new upholstery, a couple of accessory socket and a multifunction steering wheel, which has audio and Bluetooth controls on it. Apart from these, it also has a push button start, reverse parking sensors and remote boot lid opener as well. In terms of technicalities, the company has slightly tuned the engine, which helps in delivering better fuel efficiency. This variant is fitted with the same K-Series 1.2-litre petrol engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 1197cc. It can now churn out 83.1bhp, inspite of 85.8bhp and 115Nm of peak torque output. This compact sedan will compete against the likes of Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Tata Zest and others in this segment. On the other hand, this vehicle is selling with a standard warranty of two years or 40000 Kilometers, whichever comes first. At the same time, the buyers the can also extend this period by one or two years at a nominal cost paid to authorized dealer.

Exteriors:

The designers of the company have done a fabulous job for giving this compact sedan a refreshing look with a lot of updated features. Its front fascia has been designed with a new radiator grille, which is fitted with a chrome treated thick slat. It is embedded with a prominent company insignia in the center. This grille is surrounded by a modified headlight cluster, which is powered by bright halogen lamps and side turn indicator. The body colored bumper has wide air intake section and it is flanked by a pair of bright fog lamps that adds to the visibility of the driver. There is a couple of visible character lines on the bonnet, which gives a distinct look to the frontage. Its windscreen is made of green tinted glass and is accompanied by a set of intermittent wipers. Coming to its side profile, this sedan has body colored door handles and a few visible character lines. The external rear view mirrors are electrically adjustable and it is integrated with side turn blinker as well. Its flared up wheel arches are fitted with a brand new set of 15-inch alloy wheels, which gives the side profile a sporty look. These rims are further covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres of size 175/65 R15 that offers s superior grip on any road conditions. Its rear end is designed with body colored bumper and a radiant tail light cluster, which is powered by halogen based reverse light and turn indicators. It has a large windscreen, which is integrated with a defogger and wiper. It also has a centrally located high mounted stop lamp that adds to the safety quotient. The company has designed this vehicle with a large wheelbase of 2430mm along with a decent ground clearance of 170mm. Its overall length, width and height are 3995mm, 1695mm and 1555mm. At the same time, for planning a longer drive, the company has given it a reasonably good fuel tank, which can hold up to 42 litres of petrol in it.

Interiors:

The internal section of this Maruti Swift Dzire ZXI variant is quite spacious and it is designed in a dual tone color scheme. Its smooth dashboard is equipped with a few features like AC vents, a large glove box for keeping a few things at hand, an advanced instrument panel with several functions and a three spoke steering wheel, which is mounted with a lot of control buttons. It is incorporated with ergonomically designed seats, which are covered with new upholstery. These seats provide ample leg space and head room for all occupants and are integrated with adjustable head restraints that adds to the comfort level. The rear seat comes with split foldable function, which helps in increasing the boot volume of car. Its gear shift lever comes with aluminum finishing and door trim with fabric inserts that further enhances the look of its cabin. The instrument panel is equipped with several functions like a low fuel warning light, digital clock, driver seat belt reminder notification, key in reminder with buzzer, individual door open display and many other warning and notifications for keeping the driver updated. The company has given it a spacious boot compartment, which is accompanied by rear parcel shelf for easy access.

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, this variant is fitted with a slightly tuned 1.2-litre, K-series petrol engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 1197cc. Now this power plant has the capacity of generating a maximum power of 83.1bhp at 6000rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 115Nm at 4000rpm. It is incorporated with a multi point fuel injection supply system, which allows the sedan to deliver a maximum mileage of 20.85 Kmpl on the highways. This engine is cleverly mated with a five speed manual transmission gear box, which sends the engine power to its front wheels. It enables the vehicle to attain a top speed in the range of 160 to 165 Kmph and it can cross the speed barrier of 100 Kmph in close to 12.6 seconds.

Braking and Handling:

The car maker has given this Maruti Swift Dzire ZXI variant proficient braking as well as a reliable suspension mechanism. The front wheels are fitted with a set of ventilated disc brakes, while the rear ones are comprise of conventional drum brakes. This braking system is further enhanced by anti lock braking system along with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. These together make sure that the car doesn't skid on the road when immediate brakes are applied. On the other hand, the front axle is assembled with a McPherson strut and coil spring, while the rear axle gets a torsion beam type of mechanism with the same coil spring. It is incorporated with a responsive power steering system, which has tilt adjustable function. This steering wheel supports a minimum turning radius of 4.6 meters that is quite good for this segment.

Comfort Features:

It is incorporated with an air conditioning unit that has a heater and pollen filter for purifying the cabin air. For in-car entertainment, the company has given it an advanced music system, which supports Bluetooth connectivity for pairing the mobile phones. It is equipped with USB port, Aux-in interface, AM/FM radio tuner, CD/MP3 player along with four speakers that enhances the ambiance of its cabin. The It multifunctional steering wheel is mounted with phone as well as audio control buttons. The car maker has given this vehicle a number of utility based aspects like cup and bottle holders, map pockets in all doors, day and night internal rear view mirror, reverse parking sensors, glove box with pen and card holder, interior lamps with theater dimming effect, rear luggage cover and so on.

Safety Features:

Being the top end variant, it is equipped with a number of protective aspects including driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD, front ELR seat belts, rear door child locks, speed sensitive auto door lock, a high mounted stop lamp, a rear defogger and many other such aspects. It also has an advanced engine immobilizer with security alarm system that prevents the vehicle from theft or any unauthorized entry.

Pros:

1. Updated exteriors gives it a refreshing look.

2. Fuel economy is quite good.

Cons:

1. There is still scope of improving its internal cabin.

2. A few more safety features can be added.