Can Maruti Ciaz take on the segment leader Honda City in sales? [Ciaz spy pics]

As the launch of Ciaz is approaching, spy pictures are pouring 'cats and dogs'. Maruti Suzuki's most anticipated launch this year – Ciaz, will be the company's re-entry into the C segment. Since the SX4 went downhill, the company has no other offering in the rising C segment. The big question lies that 'can it beast the Honda City' – ace of the segment? Honda sold 7216 units of City last month while the second position in the segment is retained by Hyundai Verna, with monthly sales in the vicinity of 2-4k. Lets see what difference Ciaz will make after its inception.

A large share of new City's success goes to the 1.5 liter i-DTEC diesel motor & its 26kmpl tag! The rest is gloated by the brilliant 1.5 i-VTEC and the new trendy features that the car adorns. Ciaz, on the other hand is an entirely new offering compared to SX4 along with competitive features. If spy shots are to be believed, the Indian version will get dual tone beige and black upholstery, modest touch screen infotainment system, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, projector headlamps (a segment second after Verna). The vehicle is likely to ride on 16-15 inch radials depending on the variant. The spy shots reveal that the sedan features lot of chrome inserts.

Hyundai Verna also boast several goodies on board, at the outset the 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language makes it a head turner. The diamond cut alloys are just the 'icing on the cake' and so the segment first LED lamps. It would definitely be a tough fight between the trio, but MSI's widest dealer network in the country will certainly help the Ciaz to attract larger masses like the way it is helping its chart buster siblings Swift and Dzire. Ford is coming with the updated Fiesta very soon, lets see what future holds!

Mechanically, Ciaz will feature the 1.4 liter from the K series, currently powering petrol Ertiga. The engine belts out 94bhp of max power while a modest torque of 130Nm. The motor is reportedly mated to a 6 speed manual along with a CVT automatic option. There's a big question on which will be Ciaz's diesel heart. Will it put the existing 1.3L DDIS (Multi-Jet) with variable geometry turbocharger producing 89bhp and 202Nm or the 1.6 Multi-Jet or Peugeot's 1.6l? The diesel is likely to be mated to a manual transmission (probably 6-speed) to keep it competitive. Things related to powertrains are lil hazy and kept under covers until the launch.

Image Source: AUTOHOME CHINA

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