Ertiga Maruti India's foray into MPV segment

The lack of proper SUVs in its line-up, certainly pinches the country’s largest car manufacturer-Maruti India. Hatchbacks in India, inarguably, dominate the car industry and there is absolutely no second thought about it. But of late, the craze for the Sports Utility vehicles (SUV) and the multi-purpose vehicle is slowly building up in the domestic car market. The success of Toyota Innova itself explains the change in the market dynamics. So, the car honcho who is usually known as a small car maker has decided to test the waters in the utility car segment. Now that doesn’t mean that Maruti has absolutely no hand in this segment. The products that it does have-Gypsy and Vitara-do exist but they are not something the car manufacturer can boast about. The Maruti Gypsy and Maruti Grand Vitara had to give in with the growing competition. Who would think that after one years, Maruti Suzuki India will bring the production version of same the RIII concept MPV that it displayed at the 2011 Indian Auto Expo. But, the auto major has conjured a new name for the MPV, the ‘Maruti Ertiga’.

The MPV Maruti Ertiga priced at an estimated range of Rs 6.5 lakh-9 lakh will break cover at the 2012 Auto Expo. The most interesting part in the MPV is however that the Maruti Ertiga is built on the Ritz platform. So, this means you can experience a car like driveability on the new Maruti MPV-doesn’t that sound really interesting. The car manufacturer has tried to offer the MPV with some superior interior quality and by the looks of it seems like Maruti India is successful to a certain extent.

Also, some superb finish on the exteriors is also expected, despite the entry-level price tag. However, coming to the Maruti Ertiga engine, the auto major has decided to use the same 1.3 L diesel engine sourced from Fiat to churn out the 89 Bhp and 200 Nm peak power and torque for the MPV, while the petrol engine is something new from the auto major with a fuel efficient K series (K-14) 1.4 L petrol motor to deliver a 95 Bhp and 130 Nm of maximum power and torque. Maruti India has done the its level best of what it could, now what remains to be seen is that will Ertiga topple the Mahindra Xylo Mini and Toyota Innova in the market?