Maruti Suzuki Celerio (YL7) to make its global debut at the Auto Expo 2014

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Suzuki will unveil its eagerly awaited global car codenamed ‘YL7’ at the Auto Expo 2014. This global hatchback will replace the A-Star and Zen Estilo in India and will be the eighth generation Alto globally.

The Celerio was spotted numerous times testing worldwide, but the concept was previewed only when it was shown at the Bangkok Motor Show last year. Maruti’s decision to rename the car ‘Celerio’ is not unique as the global Alto uses this name in some markets like the Philippines.Suzuki is one of the few manufacturers which cross-names its products worldwide and in India, we have been seen three different generation of Altos being sold simultaneously. Maruti might avoid being vocal about the Celerio replacing the A-Star in India as the A-Star is one of the few market duds the Hisar factory ever produced. In the past,Maruti replaced the ageing Baleno with the SX4 silently and although the SX4 was a completely new product it took the Baleno’s slot in the Maruti line-up in India.

The Celerio, in India, is likely to get the K10B, the smallest of the potent K-series range of petrol engines from Suzuki. This three-cylinder engine displaces 998cc and makes an impressive 67bhp and 90Nm of torque and is very fuelefficient. The transmission will be a five-speed manual powering the front wheels. The car will be slotted between the Wagon R and the Ritz in India. 

The interiors look very sprightly with the dual-tone dashboard, seats and the door handles. However, this might be available only on the top-end variants; the rest might get the generic black interiors. Also, the number of components shared with its cousins is evident. The steering wheel, the inside door handles, AC louvers all seem to be borrowed from other Maruticars. This also ensures greater availability of spares and low-cost production- a benefit to the company as well as the consumer.

The interesting news is also about Suzuki’s small capacity diesel engine, which is under development. The Celerio might be powered by one of those small engines when they are production ready.