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Suzuki pulls a Ritzy move out of its small car bag of tricks to offer a very competent alternative to all the large hatchbacks on the market today. Adil Jal Darukhanawala has the gen on this lil' performer after an exclusive first drive
Let's get one thing clear straight away about Suzuki's new supermini. It ain't going to be making waves as a Wagon R replacement which many of you thought was on the cards but then that is the good thing, both for Maruti Suzuki and also for the consumer who wants a more family-oriented large hatchback.
Great for Maruti Suzuki because it allows the product planners to move the Wagon R into a newer perch and position in the market (think taxi or utility) and at the same time the firm's premium hatchback portfolio gets enhanced.
It is this portfolio enhancement which is pretty noteworthy because ever since the company began to pack in small minis after small minis with just marginal increments in space and equipment to swamp the majority of the A2 segment, the new Ritz is the family-oriented offering which joins the Swift in the premium hatch segment. And there is no doubt that where the Swift is the iconic personalized car for the sporty individual, the Ritz clearly is family-focused.
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