Maruti Ritz MODELS | VEHICLE SUMMARY | ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS | COMFORT

Overview

Hyundai has launched their i10 model in the Indian market. Now, it's the turn of market leaders Maruti Suzuki to respond with a brand new vehicle for the Indian market. After the recently launched A-Star, Maruti may replace its aging Wagon R with Ritz or may launch it as new model. Maruti Suzuki India has decided to rename the Splash as Ritz for India. The name change is because of registration problem as Splash has been already registered by some other manufacturer.

It will be 4th new model for the Maruti Suzuki after the launch of Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4. Based on an all-new platform, the production version has some hints of the Swift and SX4, interspersed with a C-pillar design that harks back to the concept. At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented `Project Splash`, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash (Ritz). The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Ritz.

Design

Unlike traditional hatchbacks, the rear end has allowed for a thicker C-pillar and made provision for a smaller quarter glass that is not very different from the Swift. With an overall width of 1.68 metres, the Ritz is 8cm wider than the Wagon R+. Smartly shaped headlights give it a friendly appearance, and they combine with a trapezoidal grille to form a “face” that reflects the new Suzuki family identity.

The Suzuki brand emblem proudly takes its place in the centre of the grille, and the entire front end of the car incorporates energy-absorbing structures for pedestrian protection. The Ritz is streamlined rather than boxy, but it is uncompromised in terms of interior roominess, functionality, and configurability. Its profile displays a gently rising nose, A-pillars that blend into the roof and a roofline that gently slopes toward the back, culminating in an almost vertical tailgate. Short overhangs create a compact and neat appearance.

The tailgate has an inward obtuse angle to it, something seen more often on French hatchbacks. On the inside, the Ritz continues the raid on Suzuki's parts bin with the steering wheel, gear knob, door handles, indicator switches, etc first seen on the Swift/SX4. Though, that is where the raid ends.

Engine Options

The Ritz will be launched with two engine options - one petrol and one diesel. The petrol one will be recently launched 1197cc, 4 Cylinders, K12M engine which generates 85 Bhp at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 117 Nm at 4200 rpm.

The common-rail diesel is 1248cc engine which develops maximum power of 75 bhp, to be manufactured at Manesar in India will complete the engine lineup. All these engines will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Market sources suggest that the company could be working on plans to bring the Suzuki Ritz model here in India.

The gear lever is mounted high up and the driving seat is, like the steering wheel, adjustable for height. It controls an electric power steering system with about the right amount of weight but no true feel of the road. Its suspension is quite firm, in an effort to keep it agile despite the height, so it feels accurate enough in corners.

Interiors

For a small car the Ritz has a lot of room, with headroom especially good. The rear seat is set higher than the front seats so all occupants get a good view out, and all seats are comfortable enough. It's a proper four-seater, and big enough for five at a squeeze. There's plenty of storage space including a flip-lid box on top of the dashboard, a fair glovebox and a tray ahead of the front passenger, but non-slip surfaces would make them more usable.

The boot looks small, especially front-to-rear, but there's a big compartment hidden under the false floor with the space saver spare wheel hidden in another layer below that. The rear seats fold down in one movement per side, the cushion cranking forward to make space for the descending backrest.The new flexible compact car combines the sportiness of Suzuki's successful model Swift with the technologies and immense know-how of the Japanese world market leader in the mini car segment.

Coloured surfaces for the dashboard create a youthful, casual look in the area of the passenger airbag and the upper part of the instrument cluster. Together with high-quality materials and a metallic-silver border on the centre console, they treat occupants to a pleasingly fresh ambience. The cockpit reflects a “less is more” approach, forming a stylish, functional space without superfluous flourishes or gimmicks. A large speedometer positioned centrally behind the steering wheel is easy to read and has all of the indicator lamps arranged around it.

A digital liquid crystal display (LCD) is positioned in the lower half of the speedometer and gives the driver additional information. In certain grades, a tachometer is separately mounted on the dashboard. The number of buttons is minimal, allowing for fewer distractions and thus raising safety. The shift lever is ergonomically shaped and is positioned relatively high in the centre console to minimise its distance from the steering wheel and permit extra storage space.

Variants & Price

The Ritz is not the successor of any specific former Suzuki model, but a brand-new concept to satisfy the needs of customers in terms of roominess, compactness, modern design, aerodynamics, quality, driveability, performance and environmental friendliness. It is expected that Maruti will launch Ritz in May 2009 in 6 variants with two engine options in a price range between 4 to 5.5 lakhs.

Ritz will be available in a choice of 10 fresh colours, eight of which have a metallic finish. Two of the colours – Splash Green and Lagoon Turquoise 2 – were developed by Suzuki specifically for the Ritz. The Ritz is aimed mainly at urban, practical people with modern lifestyles, and it reflects the ideals of the second phase of Suzuki’s world strategy - a phase in which Suzuki is focusing not just on sportiness but also on the needs of families.

Couples and young families in the market for compact cars want a sporty, fresh design coupled with practical attributes such as roominess, flexibility and economy. Now, Let's see how Maruti manages to sell 7 hatchbacks - 800, Alto, Zen Estilo, Wagon R, Swift, recently launched A-Star & Ritz - all in same showroom.