[GTO]

Big shoutout to Vid6639 for shooting these pictures & his coverage of the Auto Expo. Thanks for sharing, man!

If you're an enthusiast, there's nothing quite like visiting the Auto Expo on the media day when there's no crowd:


As expected, Maruti's pavilion is big and has prime placement:


'Regular' Maruti area in white...




...and Nexa in black!




Nexa lifestyle merchandise:


I think Maruti is pushing the Nexa thing too far. Can imagine someone desiring a Mercedes watch, or stuff from the Porsche design studio. But 'Nexa' cuff links . I don't think so:

[GTO]

The big news at Maruti today was the Vitara Brezza - click here for our detailed report. Tomorrow, we'll be seeing the unveiling of the Baleno RS & Ignis:

[GTO]

Maruti displays the 1.0L direct-injection turbo-petrol that we'd caught testing in the Baleno (related thread):


Power ratings are 110 horses (@ 5,500 rpm) and 170 Nm of torque (@ 2,000 - 3,500 rpm):


This is a 3-cylinder engine. Downsizing is now a global norm:


Expect to see this engine in the Baleno (tomorrow), Vitara Brezza, Ciaz and gang:


Small turbo-petrol, AMT, SHVS, explosive 1.6L diesel (S-Cross), and there's more to come. Personally, I'm glad that Suzuki's R&D department has actually started working after so many years of technological complacence:


The bore x stroke and displacement are identical to the Alto K10's motor. Yep, that's definitely the base motor, sufficiently beefed up and upgraded to handle the additional power:

[GTO]

Some souped-up Marutis on display:


The last time around, Maruti had the Swift 1.6L (check it out). This time, you'll have to make do with just a body kit...


...and custom interiors:


A Baleno with a body kit:










A Celerio...


...with crossover-like cladding . Please, let's not make a crossover version of this hatchback:






An S-Cross with some accessories:


Don't miss the carbon-fibre touches:




Maroon Dzire:


With coffee interiors. Believe it or not, the interiors smelt of coffee :




The culprit - see that coffee-flavoured air freshener ahead of the AMT shifter:


The Ciaz SHVS. Vid6639 says that other auto manufacturers swarmed to this engine bay like bees to a hive. They were also asking a lot of questions, but the Maruti staffer standing by it kept on saying 'sorry, I'm not a technical person':


Interiors were decked up with thick carpeting, plusher leather seats and nice looking wooden panels:

[GTO]

Maruti also displays its regular engine range, starting with the flagship 1.6L diesel (currently imported):


The national engine of India (1.3L diesel):


The 2-cylinder diesel that made its debut in the Celerio:


The AMT:


Zooming in on the AMT:


The K-Series petrol:




And this 2.9L bad boy with 200 horses on tap:


If you're a boat owner, don't get too excited just yet. This engine is only here for showing off. Zauba.com says it's going back shortly after the expo:

[GTO]

A lot of people are concerned about the lightweight nature of Maruti's new cars (e.g. Baleno). Maruti had this video playing at their stall, as if to spread awareness and allay fears. Captions within the images itself:

[GTO]

For your entertainment, Maruti has this cool racing simulator available. Hydraulics too for that 'racing experience':




Another racing game where you can choose a Maruti...


...and race with your head! Literally . Move your head forward to accelerate, back to brake and tilt to turn:

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Auto Expo Section!

[swiftnfurious]

I think Brezza is the star for Maruti this year! I doubt even Baleno RS is going to create a wave like this. In a way, it's sad to see no other major products / concept displayed.

At the time when performance cars are welcomed by customers, Maruti definitely could have brought something better, at least on the Swift. Why waste space of a body kitted product.

Guess, we'll get to see the Baleno RS & Ignis tomorrow. How about Vitara full size? Are they displaying it this year?

[ajay_satpute]

I feel that Maruti should have also got the S-Cross 1.6 Petrol to India. Internationally, Suzuki sells S-Cross in 1.6 diesel and petrol both. There would have been lots of takers for the 1.6 petrol from the Maruti stable.

Maruti should also bring the entire accessory range for the S-Cross including those stunning alloys and other stuff.

Frankly, a bit disappointed to see Maruti's offering in the Auto Expo this time.

[lavish_n]

Originally Posted by GTO

...and race with your head! Literally . Move your head forward to accelerate, back to brake and tilt to turn:

Does it work using motion sensors? The guy in the picture does not seem to be wearing any Head Gear which gives Virtual imaging.
On a lighter note, moving/leaning head forward for racing could end up headbutting the screen in front

[dass]

The interiors of the coffee flavour Maroon Dzire has an arm rest, is that an OEM product now or is it an after market accessory? I don't recall if the refresh model had it.

[Amit_breakfree]

Why not offer Swift with the 1.0L BoosterJet engine? This way Maruti can differentiate between the Baleno and Swift.
They can position Baleno as the family car and turn Swift into the performance product with maybe 3 doors and the BoosterJet engine (Swift's handling and gearshift are already good). Just think what the performance will be, and it can shake-up even the GT twins.

Overall, the Maruti stall seems to be nice and nothing exceptional. Vitara Breeza has been launched already and the response seems to be positive. Baleno RS and Ignis will be launched tomorrow but they'll not generate the same kind of euphoria as Vitara Breeza did.

Maruti could have used the space well and should have showcased more products rather than showing the Celerio with black cladding and a maroon Dzire.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by Amit_breakfree

Why not offer Swift with the 1.0L BoosterJet engine? This way Maruti can differentiate between the Baleno and Swift.

Since it's almost end of life for current gen Swift, Maruti might bring the BoosterJet in the next iteration. Since Baleno is more premium than Swift, it gets it first, for a product differentiation. It'll just be a matter of time before we see the engine in a good line up so it justifies the ROI.

[Amit_breakfree]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Since it's almost end of life for current gen Swift, Maruti might bring the BoosterJet in the next iteration. Since Baleno is more premium than Swift, it gets it first, for a product differentiation. It'll just be a matter of time before we see the engine in a good line up so it justifies the ROI.

That explains. Thanks for the clarification. I have read somewhere on T-Bhp only that next generation Swift can be launched in India in 2017. Hope the news is true and we get a more improved car next year.