We at 4wheelreviews have been continuously updating you about Marutis A-Star replacement, Celerio scheduled to be launched next month. According to sources Maruti Suzuki has finalized the date to 6th of February.
We did update you about the car having a manual `box but without a manual clutch pedal (good thinking there Maruti!) but now a few more details on the Celerio have emerged.
The Celerio will be available in three trim levels: Lxi, Vxi and the top-of-the-line Zxi. The Semi-automatic gearbox will be available with only Lxi and Vxi as an option. The Zxi will only feature a manual gearbox. Don`t ask us why? we are as clueless as you are.
The Celerio will be powered by a 998cc 3-cylinder petrol engine, named the K10B. The engine has a 4–valve per cylinder arrangement which allows it to make 68PS of max power and 90Nm of max torque at 3500 rpm. A diesel engine may be in the works but has not been confirmed by the company.The car just weighs 850kg (manual version) which maybe the reason why Maruti Suzuki did not put a bigger engine inside the bonnet.
For a car that fits slam-bang in Hyundai`s grand i10 territory, these figures seem paltry in comparison but then the Grand i10 does have a bigger engine. Also, the USP of the Celerio will be the semi-automatic `box and every Maruti Suzuki car lives up to the promise.
The top-of-the-line variant, Celerio Zxi offers a lot of goodies like audio controls on the steering, electrically adjustable ORVMs, Bluetooth telephony and a trip computer. The Zxi optional trim also gets two airbags upfront and ABS.
The semi-automatic will be priced about INR 1.1 lakh higher than the manual variant. The price is expected to start around INR 3.8 lakhs, but the final prices and details will be known only at launch.
The A-Star was a failure for Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) but it did teach the company to be humble. For a company that could do nothing wrong, A-Star was a severe blow but Maruti Suzuki now aims to change that.
What do you think of should it be priced at to be successful? Do tell us below.