Maruti is preparing to storm the C segment with its upcoming sedan, the Ciaz. This is the second important product for the company after the Celerio in 2014. We are accustomed to how every manufacturer names their variants, and Maruti is one of them which uses generic nomenclatures for all its models. The company seems to hold on to the way it names its variants, but the upcoming Ciaz has been spotted with a ‘+’ on its mid variant Vdi. A source has spied the Ciaz closely with a VDI+ nomenclature on it and we have something to speculate on.
The Ciaz VDI+ might be the mid-variant in the Ciaz family and is expected to carry most of the goodies that will be available on the top-end variant. It seems like Maruti will equip this specific variant with projector headlamps, rear AC vents, electrically adjust on the ORVMs, reverse parking sensors, ABS and steering mounted audio controls.
The Ciaz is expected to derive its power from a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine with a VGT and a 1.4-litre K-Series petrol engine. Both these engines might be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and the possibility of a CVT autobox for the petrol. The MultiJet is a common fare on most Maruti models, but the 1.4-litre K-Series motor will see its second application after the Ertiga. Also, there are speculations that the Ciaz will get a more powerful 1.6-litre MultiJet mill, but we expect that to debut with the upcoming SX4 S-Cross.
Although, one would assume Maruti to launch the vehicle in six variants, the use of ‘+’ in the nomenclature indicates at something new. Will Maruti launch the Ciaz in more than three variants namely, Ldi, Vdi, Vdi+ and the ZDI, has to be seen. There is a possibility that the Vdi+ or the Vxi+ might be a new addition indicating at an option pack for buyers, but we shall reserve our comments until the launch of the vehicle.