04 Dec, 2012 06:38 PM

A total make over for Wagon R, to be 22% more fuel efficient

Wagon R is all set for a total make over. The Suzuki has recently unveiled a completely revamped model of the Wagon R small car that is said to be 22% more fuel efficient than existing model. Thanks to a lighter body, an improved engine and is a system that converts energy produced when braking into electricity, the car can travel 28.8km per liter. The air conditioner is designed to produce cool air using coolants even in the idling stop mode. Suzuki Chairman and President Osamu Suzuki told reporters that small car sales would grow in Asia, India and other emerging markets, and that the automaker will strive to expand small car sales in Japan and abroad. The company has also unveiled the Wagon R Stingray, which is a sportier version of the Wagon R. While there are high chances of Maruti Suzuki bringing in the updated Wagon R to India in 2013, the company will not bring the Stingray anytime soon (atleast not till 2016). The front remains unmistakably a Wagon R, while the overall vehicle appears to be taller than before. The rear gets revised tail lights.

The interiors of the 2013 Suzuki Wagon R gets heavy revisions. The steering wheel is new and the gearbox is now mounted on the dashboard rather than the floor. The company has also reduced the length of the Wagon R marginally, but the wheelbase has been unaltered. Suzuki uses a 660cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine in the Wagon R in Japan. These engines are offered with and without a turbocharger, producing 65 PS and 53 PS of peak power. These engines may not make it to India.

Sales of petrol cars are already declining and the overall sentiment in the automobile market is quite negative. The recent fuel price hike and interest rate hike has already reduced demand. Automobile manufacturers are planning to appeal to the Government to roll back the increased excise duty (which was done in April 2012). Maruti Suzuki has already seen a sharp decline in sales due to low production of its hot selling models, the Swift and DZire. The company is working on a compact diesel engine which could make its way to the updated Wagon R.