Maruti Suzuki upcoming car updates - S-Cross, Celerio diesel and YRA

Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch of the S-Cross by mid April according to a company insider. The S-Cross according to our sources will also be offered in 4WD but the timing of its introduction hasn’t been finalized yet. In all likelihood, the 2WD will be launched first followed by the 4WD. Maruti Suzuki has benchmarked the Duster AWD for the S-Cross and we hear that the quality levels will be better and equipment list will be longer. 

Maruti Suzuki offers the S-Cross in Europe with a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine which produces 120PS of power and 156Nm of torque. A 1.6-litre diesel engine with 120PS of power and 320Nm of torque is also part of the European portfolio. Where the petrol is mated to a tried and tested 5-speed gearbox, the diesel motor is mated to a rather more practical 6-speed gearbox option. Economies of scale suggest the S-Cross engines will be replaced by the 1.4-litre petrol and the 1.3-litre diesel motors that do duty in the Ertiga and Ciaz but if Maruti is benchmarking the Duster, which is known for its strong diesel engine, the 1.6 could be considered too.

The next major launch for Maruti will be the Celerio diesel. The diesel engine is a newly developed 800cc unit that is scheduled to commence production early next quarter but with demand for diesel cars falling, Maruti is in no hurry to introduce to diesel as it recalculates projections. Expect the Celerio diesel to hit the market by the end of next quarter. It will be priced about Rs 60,000-70,000 higher than the petrol variant and will take on the Chevrolet Beat in the entry level diesel hatchback battle.

The third big launch for Maruti in 2015 will be the YRA, scheduled for a launch around the festive season in October. The premium hatchback still called by its code name will be positioned about the Swift. It is bigger and will have higher quality materials and a longer equipment list. It is squarely positioned against the Hyundai Elite i20. While the YRA will be positioned above the Swift, it will sport the same engines. There is a possibility of offering the more powerful 1.4-litre petrol engine from the Ciaz in the YRA but it will be much costlier due to the higher excise duty. 

Maruti Suzuki YRA pic: raid101