Maruti Suzuki will go all guns blazing at Auto Expo 2018. The biggest display of automobiles in South East Asia is just a month away and as always, the biggest car brand in the country will be making the biggest waves. At the 2018 Auto Expo Maruti Suzuki will launch and showcase a slew of much awaited new models. Among them will be some brand new cars, facelifts and next-gen models of their very popular existing cars. Here’s what we expect from Maruti Suzuki at the 2018 Auto Expo
New 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift / Swift Sport at Auto Expo
Although it retains an identical silhouette to the outgoing car, in its 3rd generation, the new 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift looks more grown-up than it ever has. What originally made the Swift such a joyful experience, for this new-generation model, the chassis has been stiffened and is lighter. The rear track is now wider, the car sits lower and the suspension is tuned to be sporty, which should help the Swift retain and build on its original fun-to-drive characteristics. The 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift will in all probability be powered by the existing 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre multijet diesel motors. However, the Fiat sourced engine might go through a retune to crank out more power. Do we get a Swift Sport or at least a Boosterjet? Only time will tell when the car is officially revealed.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Petrol at 2018 Auto Expo
With both its rivals now offering the choice of a petrol motor, one of India’s most popular compact SUVs just cannot lag behind. Expect a petrol powered Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza to make an appearance at the 2018 Auto Expo. In all probability, the engine of choice could be the 1.4-litre mill which also does duty on the Ciaz and pumps out 90 PS of power along with 130 Nm of torque. While a 5-speed manual transmission will be offered as standard, the 4-speed AT or an appropriate automatic box could also be offered for the fact that the Ecosport offers the choice of an automatic already and the Nexon is about to get an AMT.
Facelifted Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
Spotted testing in India, the facelifted Ciaz will carry minor updates to its styling and continue with its strong USPs of space, comfort, practicality and that big car feel. For the facelift, expect changes on the illumination front, a few changes to the cabin layout, upholstery, some new features and maybe like the Brezza, Maruti’s new, in-house developed 1.5-litre diesel engine could make its debut here too. Here is the 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Facelift Review.
All-new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
By the looks of it, Maruti Suzuki’s popular MPV looked like it has grown bigger when we first got a glimpse at a camouflaged example through some spy pictures. The area between the C & D-pillar seems to have grown and the next-gen Ertiga could offer more seating space in the 3rd row, along with additional luggage space. Styling will be updated, especially the fascia, and we already know that the new model gets LED illumination at the back. On the inside, expect changes to the upholstery, a few new features and the new Ertiga could carry on with the existing set of petrol and diesel engines unless the new 1.5-diesel has been manufactured in enough numbers to fit under the Ertiga’s hood too.
Image Courtesy: Motor1
New Maruti Suzuki Jimny / Gypsy
Given the phenomenal rise the compact SUV market has been witnessing in India, it won’t be a surprise if the all-new Suzuki Jimny makes its international debut at 2018 Auto Expo. The fact that India is set to become the third-biggest car market by 2020 and Maruti Suzuki enjoys a 50% share in the current scheme of things, it only adds more cement to the possibility of the Jimny being introduced to the World through an Auto Show here. If that happens, Maruti could, or perhaps already has decided to reignite the segment where the Gypsy was once so popular and where the Thar rules the roost now.
Facelifted Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R / Wagon-R MPV at Auto Expo 2018
With a strong possibility that the Hyundai Santro is about to make a comeback at the same motor show, its original rival, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R is an urgent need of a makeover. Test mules of an all-new Hyundai hatchback have been already doing the rounds and an update for the Wagon-R, one of Maruti’s bread-and-butter models has been pending for long now. Along with that, a Wagon-R MPV with 5+2 seating could also show up and fill the space where Maruti Eeco owners could move up to in the current scheme of things.
Maruti Suzuki Concepts at the 2018 Auto Expo
As is the case with every Auto Expo till date, a few concepts which preview the car maker’s future plans for India could also grace their stands. Expect some robust news from Maruti about their plans for the electric future along with a display of brand new technologies and an ecosystem which harnesses their dense network of dealerships and service stations.