30th-Nov-2011: India’s largest car manufacturer Maruti has decided to bring in a new Multi Purpose Vehicle- Maruti Ertiga. According to the trade pundits Maruti Suzuki is expected to officially unveil Ertiga MPV in India at the upcoming Auto Expo in Jan 2012 in the capital. This MPV will be launched sometime in the middle of 2012. Maruti Ertiga price is expected to be between Rs 6-9 lakh and will meet head-on with Toyota Innova. Maruti Ertiga has now come under the most awaited cars in India and people are actually looking forward to Ertiga. It is based on Maruti R3 concept first unveiled in Auto Expo 2010. The MPV will be a seven seater with long wheelbase to suit large number of audience. Maruti’s brand value is already a blessing the car and on top of that competitive pricing will add fuel to sales of this wagon. Maruti Ertiga’s eagerness seems to grow with each day and Auto Expo seems to be a long wait. Maruti Ertiga will led Maruti to explore a segment untouched by the company till date.

Maruti Ertiga was first unveiled at the Auto Expo held in New Delhi in 2010. There it was introduced as Maruti’s upcoming MPV-Maruti R3 concept. The compact MPV has been developed in collaboration with parent Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC)’s research and design wing and is being produced in India itself. Utility vehicle occupies 15% of the total automobile sales and Maruti was not tapping the benefits from this segment till now. But with Ertiga, Maruti India is all set to challenge the hegemony of rivals.

The almost fully grown seven-seater MPV is expected to be available in both petrol and diesel variants and two different trims levels. However, sensing the diesel in demand trend, Maruti may think of introducing just the diesel variant. The Maruti Ertiga petrol is expected to have the 1.4 litre 1372cc K series (probably K14) engine that produces a maximum power of 95 bhp and a maximum torque of 130 Nm. Being the K-Series engine, the USP of these engines is that they are more fuel efficient. The 1.3 L 1196cc Variable Geometry turbo diesel engine can be the other engine guise that will power the MPV. This engine is similar to that of the Maruti SX4 sedan. The Maruti Ertiga diesel will produce 89 bhp. The Maruti MPV Ertiga is also expected to have a five speed manual transmission system. The car is a front wheel drive and sports fine quality interiors, which makes it more appealing.

MPV might lack the Innova level of interior space placing it in the mini MPV segment with 4.3 m in length and 2.7 m wheelbase. It is expected that two airbags will be part of standard equipment of the Ertiga. Ertiga MPV is expected to be available in at least six variants: LXi, VXi, ZXi, LDi, VDi and ZDi. Higher end variant Maruti Ertiga ZXi is expected to have Anti-lock Braking System. Other features such as AC, power steering, power windows, central locking, etc are expected also to be the part of the standard equipment. The roof mounted AC vents in the second and the last row passenger seats are anticipated to provide passenger comfort. In addition to this, Maruti Ertiga is also said to have other features akin to MPV like Sun Roof, Steering Adjustment and Driver Seat Adjustment. Besides, reports suggest that Maruti could also introduce rain sensing wipers on Maruti Ertiga. Blazing Red, Torque Blue, Silky Silver, Arctic White, Glistening Grey and Midnight Black are the colors well anticipated for Maruti Ertiga. The new Maruti Ertiga MPV is unquestionably designed to ensnare the Indian families who are specially looking for a perfect merger of everyday space and usability and this MPV by Maruti is absolutely ideal for them.