Maruti Suzuki is busy testing the Ciaz facelift and the sedan has been spotted testing on many occasions already. In the latest set of spy images, we can clearly see Maruti’s C-segment offering trying to hide the new grille, bumpers and tail lights.
The Ciaz has been around for more than two years now. It emerged as a rival to the Honda City and almost dethroned the segment leader. The Ciaz shifted to the Nexa premium dealership last year and was expected to receive the facelift back then. However, it was delayed and now we expect the mid-life update to arrive around the 2018 Auto Expo.
As can be seen in the images, the Ciaz facelift will bring in a revised fascia dominated by an all-new grille. The grille might be similar to the one seen on the S-Cross facelift but not directly scrounged from it. The front and rear bumpers will also undergo heavy revision to keep things fresh. Although the headlight design seems to remain the same in the test mule, the tail lights will get a new LED lighting signature. We expect a slight update to the headlight as well when the actual production car arrives retaining the projector elements while gaining some LED day-time-running lights. The alloys are the same multi-spoke as the current car.
No details on the interior are available at the moment. However, we expect the Ciaz to get a new instrument console with a different layout that will house the speedometer, rev counter, fuel and temperature gauges along with the multi-information display. It will also get a new touchscreen infotainment system like the Baleno and the new S-Cross along with wooden inserts like that on the Dzire.
Under the hood, the mechanicals will remain the same. The 1.4-litre 91bhp petrol engine and the 1.3-litre 89bhp diesel engine, both mated to manual gearboxes, will continue to power the Ciaz. There are rumours of a new 1.5-litre turbo-diesel being developed based on the 1.6, but that might need some more time. The 1.6-litre diesel won’t be happening for sure since it was discontinued even in the S-Cross. We also expect Maruti to provide an AMT gearbox for the diesel engine with the facelift.
With the testing in full swing, there is a chance that Maruti might unveil the facelift at the Auto Expo. It will go on sale after the launch of the much awaited new Swift.
