Maruti’s sixth global car ‘Ritz’ to launch in May 09

After approved by the International Centre of Automotive Technology (ICAT) Maruti Suzuki’s sixth global car Maruti Ritz will be launched in May 2009. The ICAT had cleared Ritz in a whole vehicle test approval ceremony, held recently at the test center’s premises in Manesar, thereby clearing ground for rolling out the car in the Indian market. This car is Maruti’s ninth small car that will consolidate its position in the crowded market. Maruti Ritz will be built on Suzuki’s successful Splash platform and will be priced between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, which is just below the Swift’s price tag. It will be launched in the small car segment with a 1.2 litre KB series petrol and 1.3 litre multijet diesel engine simultaneously. It will be 30 mm shorter than the Swift, but will be spacious due to high roof structure. The Maruti Ritz will be positioned between the Maruti A-star and the Maruti Swift, and will counter Hyundai i10, Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia, Ford Fusion, Fiat Palio and Tata Indica Vista. Dubbed as a multi-purpose vehicle, it will cater to small urban families and sport BS-IV engines and a 5-speed manual gearbox.