Suzuki WagonR to replace Padmini Taxi - HT

benbsb29 · 17th August 2007, 13:21

Very soon the Wagon R will grow to be among the most hated vehicles on the roads, the same way as most people now view the Indicabs and Sumos.

Rtech · 17th August 2007, 13:26

Ben, the cabs we are referring to are the black & yellow's that roam the streets of Mumbai (mainly South Mumbai). Not the tourist taxi's that ply the highways.

DCEite · 17th August 2007, 13:31

BTW, how much is the boot space in the Premier Taxi compared to the WagonR (p)? For reference, the boot space order among small cars (as per autocar) is as follows:
Palio>WagonR>Indica>Santro>Spark>Alto

phamilyman · 17th August 2007, 13:34

WagonR CNG is currently the brand new call center cab in Delhi. Similar ones would ply in Mumbai now - downside being zero boot space compared to Premier Padmini.

Indicab CNG has already been around. Had it worked to people's expectations, it would've already been the natural choice. Here, if Maruti does a deal with Shrimankar (or someone better) like Tata, that would be good.

Omni LPG can't be used as a taxi, because its anyways a horribly unsafe vehicle. Especially in the hands of the average taxi driver.

I hope they install digital tamper proof meters as well.

Rtech · 17th August 2007, 13:39

Frankly, though the Padmini is a 3-box sedan, the old design means that there is not that much space for passengers. The Wagon R would be far more comfortable for passengers. Boot space is the only downside. That said, even the Padmini with that CNG cylinder cannot fit a regular size suitcase in the boot and expect to actually close it.

So I guess the Wagon's will all be equipped with carriers to lug stuff around.

itwasntme · 17th August 2007, 13:47

Looking at it from a durability point of view, is the WagonR built to take the abuse that a average cab endures? Whatever people say about Indicabs, IMO they have a lot going for their durability.

Abusing Suzukis have historically lead to a lot of body damage in the form of dents/scrapes/knocks etc and rattles from every conceivable location!

Also, I would be worried about crash protection for passengers although this may just be a unreasonable bias. I always look at the WagonR as being a tinny 'toy' car as opposed to the tank-like build (not quality!) of the Indica.

benbsb29 · 17th August 2007, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

Ben, the cabs we are referring to are the black & yellow's that roam the streets of Mumbai (mainly South Mumbai). Not the tourist taxi's that ply the highways.

Rob, i got that. I was saying that since these are going to ply as cabs, sharing the same basic driving genes, these are going to create havoc on the roads and make them hated by rest of the driving populace.

Rtech · 17th August 2007, 13:59

Naah. We don't hate the Padmini. We just hate the crazy taxi drivers that pilot them!

amit · 17th August 2007, 14:37

The Renault Logan will make a very good taxi too.

dadu · 17th August 2007, 14:46

A Wagon R with a CNG cylinder in the back will leave how much space for luggage, is to everyone's guess.

DCEite · 17th August 2007, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

A Wagon R with a CNG cylinder in the back will leave how much space for luggage, is to everyone's guess.

Is it mentioned somewhere that it will be a CNG wagonR?

The DUO version (which is mostly used by call centers here) has a toroidal LPG tank, which liberates decent space in the boot.

tushky · 17th August 2007, 14:53

why not Omni LPG?? cheap to buy, big, not comfy as wagon r but may be good deal.

benbsb29 · 17th August 2007, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

Naah. We don't hate the Padmini. We just hate the crazy taxi drivers that pilot them!

Just as we dont hate the Indicabs, just their pilots?

tez · 17th August 2007, 15:01

i think indigo would also make a good taxi.

dadu · 17th August 2007, 15:18

NO, It is not even mentioned for LPG or DUO version also, only Wagon R is mentioned, so everybody here is posting based on assumptions. "if this, if that"

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCEite

Is it mentioned somewhere that it will be a CNG wagonR?

The DUO version (which is mostly used by call centers here) has a toroidal LPG tank, which liberates decent space in the boot.

17th August 2007, 13:21	#16
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 10,102 Thanked: 14,181 Times View My Garage	Very soon the Wagon R will grow to be among the most hated vehicles on the roads, the same way as most people now view the Indicabs and Sumos.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 13:26	#17
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 369 Times View My Garage	Ben, the cabs we are referring to are the black & yellow's that roam the streets of Mumbai (mainly South Mumbai). Not the tourist taxi's that ply the highways.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 13:31	#18
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,588 Thanked: 3,479 Times	BTW, how much is the boot space in the Premier Taxi compared to the WagonR (p)? For reference, the boot space order among small cars (as per autocar) is as follows: Palio>WagonR>Indica>Santro>Spark>Alto Last edited by DCEite : 17th August 2007 at 13:36.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 13:34	#19
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,673 Times	WagonR CNG is currently the brand new call center cab in Delhi. Similar ones would ply in Mumbai now - downside being zero boot space compared to Premier Padmini. Indicab CNG has already been around. Had it worked to people's expectations, it would've already been the natural choice. Here, if Maruti does a deal with Shrimankar (or someone better) like Tata, that would be good. Omni LPG can't be used as a taxi, because its anyways a horribly unsafe vehicle. Especially in the hands of the average taxi driver. I hope they install digital tamper proof meters as well.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 13:39	#20
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 369 Times View My Garage	Frankly, though the Padmini is a 3-box sedan, the old design means that there is not that much space for passengers. The Wagon R would be far more comfortable for passengers. Boot space is the only downside. That said, even the Padmini with that CNG cylinder cannot fit a regular size suitcase in the boot and expect to actually close it. So I guess the Wagon's will all be equipped with carriers to lug stuff around.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 13:47	#21
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 7,712 Thanked: 14,134 Times View My Garage	Looking at it from a durability point of view, is the WagonR built to take the abuse that a average cab endures? Whatever people say about Indicabs, IMO they have a lot going for their durability. Abusing Suzukis have historically lead to a lot of body damage in the form of dents/scrapes/knocks etc and rattles from every conceivable location! Also, I would be worried about crash protection for passengers although this may just be a unreasonable bias. I always look at the WagonR as being a tinny 'toy' car as opposed to the tank-like build (not quality!) of the Indica.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 13:59	#23
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 369 Times View My Garage	Naah. We don't hate the Padmini. We just hate the crazy taxi drivers that pilot them!
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 14:37	#24
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,716 Thanked: 451 Times	The Renault Logan will make a very good taxi too.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 14:46	#25
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 463 Times View My Garage	A Wagon R with a CNG cylinder in the back will leave how much space for luggage, is to everyone's guess.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 14:53	#27
tushky Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 1,277 Thanked: 2,843 Times View My Garage	why not Omni LPG?? cheap to buy, big, not comfy as wagon r but may be good deal.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 15:01	#29
tez BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pune Posts: 381 Thanked: 16 Times	i think indigo would also make a good taxi.
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