Maruti Ritz VXI AT

Ritz VXI AT Review

Maruti Suzuki India Limited is one of the leading car makers in the Indian car market and has been in the country for a very long time now. One of their most impressive and best selling hatchbacks is Maruti Ritz, which is being sold in both petrol and diesel engine based variants. The company has now launched an automatic transmission version of the Maruti Ritz with a petrol engine. This hatchback has been fitted with a power packed 1.2-litre petrol engine that has 4 cylinders and is mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The company has also fitted this Maruti Ritz AT trim with some class leading and top-of-the-line features, which are bound to excite the customers. Apart from these, the company has also fitted this Maruti Ritz AT variant with some very essential and practical safety functions as well.

Exteriors

The all new Maruti Ritz AT has been bestowed with a striking exterior design, which is extremely aerodynamic and attractive as well. The front façade gets a newly styled radiator grille that has a smiley face design with black horizontal and vertical slats, which is flanked by a luminous head light cluster. The sides are sleek and glossy with black coloured outside door handles as well as the external rear view mirrors on both sides. The wheel arches have been fitted with a modish set of 14-inch alloy wheels that are covered with tubeless radial tyres of size 165/80 R14. The rear end gets a neatly done boomerang styled tail lamp cluster, which is brilliant and visible from quite a distance. The company has fitted the Maruti Ritz AT with a new integrated spoiler that makes it look sportier and more distinct.The overall dimensions of this latest Maruti Ritz AT are very liberal and now offer better leg room along with ample head and shoulder space. The overall length of this automatic hatchback is about 3375mm, while the total width is 1680mm without the body side molding and 1687mm with it. The total height 1620mm along with a spacious wheel base of 2360mm, which is quite good. The minimum ground clearance of the Maruti Ritz AT hatchback is 170mm, while it has an approximate kerb weight of 1035 kgs.

Interiors

The company has developed the insides of Maruti Ritz AT with a lot of luxury and comfort. The seating arrangement is very comfortable with well cushioned seats, while the rear seat has a 60:40 split option to bring in more luggage in case it’s needed. The company has given Maruti Ritz AT a new premium dual-tone interior scheme with a mix of light and dark grey along with a colour combination of dark grey and red. There are quite a few storage spaces as well such as a back seat pocket behind the driver as well as the front co-passenger seats. Then there is a front seat under tray below the front co-passenger seat. The brilliant and well designed instrument cluster has quite a number of warning notification lamps such as a head light off reminder notification, a seat belt warning lamp for the driver seat, a key off reminder, a parking brake on indicator, a door ajar warning lamp and other such important notifications for the driver. Maruti Ritz AT also has a spanking new multi-information display panel on the elegant waterfall console and a tachometer, a digital clock, a real time fuel consumption meter, an accessory socket, an instrumental panel pocket under the air conditioning unit as well as near the front co-passenger side, a coin receptacle, a shopping hook, a cup holder in the console between the front seats, a large and spacious glove box that can hold a lot of items, a double horn and many more such things that will entice the customers.

Engine and Performance

The company has fitted this charming automatic hatchback with the renowned 1.2-litre, KB-12, petrol drive train that has been equipped with 4 cylinders and is performance packed to generate healthy fuel efficiency. This power plant has the ability to displace 1197cc and is prevalent in many other cars from this reputed car maker’s stables. This petrol mill has the capacity to churn out 85.26bhp at 6000rpm in combination with a torque of 113Nm at 4500rpm, which is rather good for the Indian road and traffic conditions. This power packed petrol motor is coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission . The company claims that this automatic hatchback can generate a mileage of 17.16 Kmpl, when driven under standard conditions.

Braking and Handling

Maruti Suzuki India has fitted this latest Maruti Ritz AT with a competent braking system along with a sturdy and well balanced suspension mechanism , which will keep this automatic hatchback under control and stable on any road condition. The front axle of this hatchback has been fitted with a McPherson strut type suspension along with a coil spring, whereas the rear axle of this automatic trim has been equipped with a torsion beam and a similar coil spring based suspension. On the other hand, the front tyres have been fitted with ventilated discs, while the rear tyres have been given solid drum brakes for efficient braking. Apart from this, the company has also bestowed this automatic hatchback with a highly advanced Anti-lock Braking System along with an Electronic Brakeforce Distribution System as well , which will further enhance the braking capabilities of this latest entrant.

Safety Features

The list of safety features comprise of ELR (emergency locking retractor) seat belts, a highly developed iCATS engine immobiliser to stop any unauthorized entry, both front and rear fog lamps and an ABS with EBD as well. Then there are power door locks for all the four doors and many more such aspects, which make this automatic hatchback one of the best in its segment.

Comfort Features

Apart from all these safety features, the company has also gifted this new petrol engine based automatic hatchback with some of the most exciting and top of the line convenience features. The list of these features includes a powerful and efficient HVAC (heating, air conditioning and ventilation) unit that cools or heats the entire cabin. Then there is a highly advanced music system that has an MP3 player as well as an FM radio along with remote control and four speakers , which also has other input options such as a USB interface and also an Aux-in port. The company has given fabric inserts for the door trims to make this hatchback look beautiful, a power steering with an adaptable steering wheel column and many other such functions and aspects that will certainly amaze the customers.

Pros  

Stylish exteriors , a powerful engine with good pickup, lavish interiors with good features.

Cons 

A few more advanced features can be included, mileage can be better, low boot space.