Maruti Suzuki Ciaz spotted in company yard ahead of shipping

A large number of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz cars have been spotted in the Indo-Japanese automaker’s yard ahead of their shipment to various dealers across the country and their possible launch by the middle of next month. 

Maruti Suzuki’s C+ -segment warrior was first shown as a concept car in China last year as the Alivio sedan. It then made its India debut as the Ciaz concept car during the 2014 Auto Expo and will replace the ageing SX4 sedan. 

What do we know about the Ciaz so far? It is a four-metre+ sedan and is expected to put Maruti Suzuki back in contention in the C+ sedan segment as it will include many of the segment standard features that were lacking in the SX4. Some of these are expected to include 2-DIN music system (maybe a touch screen), climate control and rear AC vents and leather seats. These spy shots also reveal that the Ciaz will get the same wheels as the China-spec Alivio, mirror-mounted indicators, chrome finish for the door handles and wrap around tail lamps.  

On the engine and gearbox front, the Ciaz will continue to use the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that is powering the SX4 petrol. On the diesel front, the Ciaz is expected to use a 1.6-litre Peugeot sourced four-cylinder mill that is expected to produce around 118bhp and 320Nm of torque. Gearbox options are expected to include a five-speed manual/CVT for the petrol and a six-speed manual for the diesel. However, in the interest of keeping costs low, there is a possibility that the Ciaz may be powered by the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel in the 90bhp guise. 

We now know that there will be six variants (3 petrol and 3 diesels) but obviously missing the most important detail – price, which is something we’ll will be able to give you once the car launches.