Slated to be launched in this ongoing festive season, the Maruti Suzuki’s compact crossover will make us wait a bit more. Due to the Maruti Suzuki’s plant capacity restraints and increasing demands for the Brezza and the Baleno, the manufacturing of the Ignis had to be delayed. Showcased as the Suzuki iM-4 concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Ignis will take our roads only next year.
The new upcoming facility at Gujarat will ensure the Ignis production and delivery before the end of the fiscal year. It will also fulfil the export demands of the Ignis and become a global manufacturing hub for the automaker, who intends to introduce their cars in newer international markets. The sub-four metre crossover is already on sale in Japan and has qualified for the 2017 Urban Car of the year award along with its sibling, the Baleno.
The Ignis measures 3,700mm in length, stands tall at 1,595mm, 1,660mm wide and has a 2,435mm wheelbase as it boasts 180mm of ground clearance. The crossover has the micro SUV-like design, flared wheel arches, plastic cladding, high shoulder line which gives it a fresh air. It will come with features such as LED daytime running lamps, touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, smartphone connectivity and Apple CarPlay. It will have dual airbags and ABS, reverse camera, and parking sensors for safety.
The India bound Ignis, unlike the Euro-spec, will get an option of diesel powerplant too. The 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine and the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine will be available to us. The petrol engine will make 83bhp and 115Nm of torque while the diesel will produce around 74bhp and 190Nm of torque, as in the Swift. However, these figures may be different in the Ignis, as it could get a different state of tune, Maruti Suzuki's SHVS mild hybrid technology could be offered as well. Maruti is also considering a 1.0 BoosterJet turbo-petrol engine as well for the Ignis. The five-speed manual transmission will be standard. But there may be an optional AMT gearbox to keep the cost low, but since it will be a premium Nexa product, it could come with a CVT transmission as well.
Given that it’ll be a premium product from Nexa, Maruti Suzuki Ignis is expected to be priced between Rs 5-7 lakh (ex-showroom). With this price range, it will have to face stiff competition from the likes of Mahindra TUV300, Ford Ecosport, KUV100, Hyundai i20 Active, Toyota Etios Cross, and Fiat Avventura. When launched in India next year, Maruti is expected to try and attract young buyers with this funky little car.
