Ertiga 2012-2015 VXI CNG Review
Maruti Suzuki India Limited is one of the biggest passenger car manufacturer in the country's profitable car market. The company has their head quarters in the country's capital, New Delhi and have massive manufacturing facilities and assembly plants in Manesar as well as in Gurgaon both of which are located in the northern state of Haryana. This company is collaboration between the multinational car maker from Japan, Suzuki Motor Corporation and India's very own Maruti Udyog Limited. This company is also a huge exporter of passenger cars to other global car markets and has a good foothold in the Indian car market as well. This company has sold more than ten million passenger cars till date, since the time this company was founded way back in year, 1981. The cars made by this company have a very good reputation of being economical and dependent along with being fuel efficient and easy on the pocket in terms of after sales service and repairs. The company has a number of varied vehicle models in their reputed fleet. Among them is one such impressive premium MPV, Maruti Ertiga, which is being sold in both petrol and diesel engine options for the customers to choose from. Looking at the incredible success of this MPV, the company has now launched a couple of CNG based variants as well to further bolster their stable. This spacious vehicle has the capacity to accommodate 7 passengers inside it with ease. This Maruti Ertiga Green as its being called as, has been launched in the entry level LXI trim and the mid level VXI variant as well. The Maruti Ertiga CNG VXI has a well balanced number of safety and comfort features integrated in it, apart from the striking exteriors and a performance packed engine. The company has fitted this Maruti Ertiga CNG VXI variant with a power packed 1.2-litre, K-Series petrol+CNG engine that also has a VVT (variable valve transmission) and is equipped with 4 cylinders. This engine is skillfully coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission gear box for smoother gear shifts. The company has also fitted this Maruti Ertiga CNG VXI with some very exciting and practical features, which will certainly amaze the buyers. Apart from these convenience aspects, the company has also equipped this LUV with some very crucial and significant safety features as well.
Exteriors:
This Maruti Ertiga CNG VXI trim has arresting and eye-catching exteriors. The front facade of this MPV is very stylishly done up with a trendy radiator grille that has black colored slats in it along with a large chrome finished emblem. This front grille is surrounded by a large head light cluster that is fitted with powerful lamps. The body colored bumper that has a wide air dam in the center and is flanked by a pair of bright round shaped fog lamps. The side profile is smooth with body colored door handles along with outside rear view mirrors, which have been integrated with side turn blinkers and gives a sporty appeal to the sides. The wheel arches have been fitted a sturdy set of 15-inch steel wheels, which have been equipped with full wheel covers. These wheel are covered with robust tubeless radial tyres of size 185/65 R15 that have a superior road grip. The rear end has a classy tail lamp cluster that is quite luminous with a large rear wind screen and also a high mounted stop lamp.
The overall dimensions of this Maruti Ertiga CNG VXI variant are quite liberal and can accommodate seven passengers with ease. The total length of this MPV is 4265mm along with an overall width of 1695mm. The total height of this massive vehicle is about 1685mm, while it has a spacious wheel base of 2740mm. The minimum ground clearance is 185mm and the minimum turning radius of this MPV is 5.2 meters.
Interiors:
The insides of this charming MPV are plush and have comfortable seats covered with premium upholstery and quite a number of other features. The list includes two internal lamps for the convenience of the passengers, a remote fuel lid opener, a driver’s side ticket holder, a couple of sun visors for the driver as well as the front co-passenger with the passenger side getting a vanity mirror, five folding assistant grips all over for aiding of the occupants, a large and roomy glove box that can store quite a few things, a front door trim pocket to add to the handiness of this Maruti Ertiga CNG VXI trim. Then this MPV also has a day and night internal rear view mirror, electrically internally adjustable external rear view mirrors, front and rear door power windows with the driver side window getting a auto down function, keyless entry with central door locking , internal chrome finished handles that add to the beauty of this vehicle, a remote tail gate opener and also a back door handle to release it along with several other such aspects.
Engine and Performance
The company has equipped this newly launched Maruti Ertiga VXI CNG variant with a power packed 1.2-litre, K-Series Petrol+CNG engine that also has a variable valve transmission and is equipped with four cylinders, which have been further fitted with sixteen valves. This remarkable engine has the ability to displace 1373cc and also has a MPFI (multi point fuel injection) based supply system. When in the CNG mode the fuel supply system is i-GPI (intelligent gas port injection). This engine can produce a 93.1bhp at 6000rpm and a torque output of 130Nm at 4000rpm and is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission . The company claims that this Maruti Ertiga VXI CNG has the capacity to produce a healthy mileage of approximately 16.02 kmpl, when driven in petrol mode, whereas in the CNG mode this MPV can generate close to 22.80 Kms/Kg, which is rather stupendous.
Braking and Handling
This trim has a steadfast braking system and the front wheels are fitted with efficient disc brakes . Whereas the rear wheels of this Maruti Ertiga VXI CNG has been given solid drum brakes for improved braking. On the other hand, this MPV also has a well balanced suspension system with the front axle being fitted with a McPherson strut type of a mechanism, while the rear axle has been equipped with a torsion beam that adds to the stability of this vehicle.
Comfort Feature
The company has integrated a lot of exciting comfort features in this mid level CNG trim. This list includes an advanced audio system with remote control that also has Radio FM, CD player, a USB interface along with four speakers, a powerful and efficient air conditioning unit with heater and also second row air conditioning with blowers. Both the front driver as well as the co-passenger seat has a back pocket and the second and third row seats have been bestowed with head restraints as well. The electric power steering is a rack and pinion type that can be tilt adjusted according to the requirement of the driver. Some other storage options include a single cup holder in the front console , a retractable cup holder in the dashboard, an accessory outlet of DC-12 V, a low fuel warning notification lamp, a head light as well as key ‘on’ reminder lamps, a door open warning lamp, a driver seat belt reminder notification lamp and a few other vital notifications as well for the driver. Then there is a brilliant instrument panel with an information display integrated into the meter cluster that has a digital clock, an instantaneous or average fuel consumption gauge, driving range and a few more such features.
Safety Features
This newly launched variant has been fitted with advanced seat belts for all the occupants, a security system ( door and hood sensing) and also an engine immobilizer as well for enhanced protection of the vehicle as well as the passengers. All these aspects put together makes this variant, Maruti Ertiga VXI CNG, one of the safest and well done up multipurpose vehicle in the lucrative Indian car market.
Pros: Impressive interior features, good space, a powerful engine.
Cons: Price can be competitive, exteriors can be made better.
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