Maruti Suzuki India Limited today rolled out its 1 Crore (ten millionth) car. The landmark car, a Metallic Breeze Blue coloured WagonR VXi rolled out from the Company’s Gurgaon plant. With this landmark achievement, Maruti Suzuki becomes the only Indian car company that makes its entry into the select club of automobile manufacturers across the globe who have crossed this milestone.
Starting with the handing over to the first Maruti 800 to the first customer in December 1983, the Company produced the First Millionth car in 1994. The cumulative production reached Two Million in 1997. The next big landmark of Five Million was reached in April 2005, almost 22 years after the first car was rolled out.
Maruti Suzuki’s revenue has grown consistently over the years. During 2009-10, Maruti Suzuki posted revenue of Rs 301,197 million. The revenue was Rs 203, 583 million in 2008-09, up from Rs 178,603 million in 2007-08.
On the occasion, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “As we reach this historic landmark, we thank our founding partners who laid a solid foundation of values and practices. We thank our customers who have brought us this far. The commitment of employees and continued strong support of business associates has played a critical role all through the journey. Their enthusiasm and commitment is especially reflected in manufacturing around 5 million units just in the last 6 years. Today is a day of pride for the full Maruti Suzuki family.”
Indeed Anil, as you might have known, the 'mere' 86-bhp diesel inea is more than 3-seconds faster than the ANHC in the 40-100 kmph climb in 4th gear (City 16.71 sec, Linea diesel 13.64 sec- source – any Autocar India issue from Mar 2009 till Nov 2010).
The Linea T-Jet does the same in 15.52 sec. Of course, the T-Jet smokes the city in ALL performance parameters.
The 0-60 kmph: Linea T Jet 4.47 sec, ANHC 4.58 sec;
0-400 m: T jet 17.44 sec, ANHC 18.03 sec,;
0-1km: Linea T jet 32.81 sec, ANHC 33.18 sec;
Top speed: Linea T jet 191 kmph (Overdrive says 187); City 190 kmph (Overdrive says 182);
20-80 kmph in 3rd gear: T jet 11.94 sec, City 12.86 sec;
Only ambiguity is 0-100 kmph timings. Autocar India Nov 2010 issue (page 109 and the new Buyer's Guide in the same issue) from which I have quoted all figures above says the City does this acceleration in 10.28 sec and the T jet takes 11.05 sec; however Overdrive says T jet 11.08 sec and the City 11.53 sec; this test here quotes 10.5 sec for the Linea T jet.
You might say the T jet is faster in all parameters than the ANHC but only by a second or two. Well, the fact remains that the ANHC is faster than the 90 bhp petrol Linea only by a second or two in most parameters but that did not stop Honda fans here from dubbing the non-turbo petrol Linea 'slow' or even 'sluggish'.
As far as fuel efficiency goes, I doubt if there will be even a 0.5 kmpl difference in these two sedans. And when you consider that the Linea T-Jet is much longer (longer than the Civic as well) with a longer wheelbase, longer service intervals, is safer, has better handling, has better grip, better steering feedback, better ride quality and much more equipment than the ANHC and is as good-looking and smokes the City on all performance parameters, there is only one winner. Hail the Linea T Jet!!!
Well can you people please tell where this 'turbo' or the massive 20 odd NM torque has got the advantage compared to naturally aspirated engines? Even though city comes with the advantage of having higher power : weight ratio, linea has got better torque : weight. Does this gets translated into figures? If bet the pulling power of linea will be diesel like, where less torquey city will be struggling to match in terms of in-gear acceleration. Is it so?
Excellent review by motoroids team !
While I agree with the fact that linea is a great car but fiat should have taken this tjet version little more seriously . Instead of importing the engine (correct me if I am wrong) they should have assembled here only. I feel there will be reasonable number of takers for this engine in india if priced correctly. Fiat has priced this car in the wrong side of 9 lakhs and this means in the vento diesel/ city category. Fiat cannot afford to price its car in the bracket of a vw or a honda !
Well any plans for punto tjet ?
How about a 1.2 l tjet punto pumping 95-100 ps power? I feel it will be a ideal combination
Good review. I own a Linea Emotion pack with MJD and had done 17500 km. in a year or so. While on high ways (Chennai – Trichy, Chennar-Krishnagiri-Coimbatore) I cruise at 120 kmph and many a times push the car to 170 kmph (in open stretches)and take long curves at 120 to 140 kmph at deserted strips (all with A/C on). It is an excellent car to drive. Linea has good firm grip, well under control at all speeds, excellent cornering, braking with ABS. Contrary to what is generally written, Old Linea with MJD has a torque 0f 207 kgM which gives excellent pick up. With VGT turbocharger, I did not experience lack of power and the engine was always wanting to give more. While Honda City may be a good City car, Linea is excellent for city commuting as well as long distances. I hope the new Avtar Linea T Jet with its enhanced power will give a good reply to all Fiat bashers, will do well in the market and gets its due place it deserves.
Hi Rohit,
Awesome review !! 5 stars. Brilliant work
Just a small correction. The iphone does work with the Blue & Me. I have an iPhone and have paired it with many Lineas & Puntos (I drive a Punto). And we have paired various generation iPhones across various software versions of Blue & Me. We have successfully paired iphone 2G, 3G and 3GS
You might want to have a re-look at the section where you have said "While the iPhone doesn