Maruti SPresso- a new lease of life

The new Maruti Suzuki SPresso, expected to offer tough competition to the Renault Kwid, has been launched today. Maruti Corp terms this small vehicle as a Genki car, which means energetic, fun and peppy. With this launch, India’s largest auto manufacturer expects to turn around the tide in what otherwise seems to be a gloomy market for the auto sector.

What’s exciting about the new SPresso

• Maruti has broken into the mini-crossover segment by releasing the SPresso at an attractive starting price of INR 3.69 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
• Prices as per variants are as follows:

• In terms of transmission, buyers will get to choose between AGS and 5-speed MT.
• Maruti claims a fuel efficiency of 21.7 kmpl for the new vehicle.
• The new 3-cylinder K10B engine is BSVI compliant.
• The SPresso has been built on Suzuki’s new Heartect Platform which makes use of 40% high tensile steel and allows a high ground clearance of 180 mm.
• Pear Starry Blue and Sizzle Orange are two new colours which have debuted on the SPresso.
• Steering mounted audio controls have been offered in a car of this segment for the first time by Maruti
• The tall stance is magnified by the presence of C-shaped tail lamps
• Maruti Suzuki SPresso has been first launched in India. This will be followed by South America and Africa.
• Maruti has come up with two packages to personalize the new SPresso- Energetic and Expedition.
• A turning radius of 4.2 m in this car is best-in-class.

Will it be readily accepted by buyers?

Most auto journalists felt that the SPresso is a youth-oriented car, and will offer easy mobility across a variety of roads to many. One of the questions asked by many would be with regards to the safety of this vehicle, considering the tall boy design. The other would be its stability on bad roads, especially due to high ground clearance. Renault Kwid scores higher on the second aspect, but then the Maruti service assurance should also make a significant impact on sales.