Maruti Suzuki's all new WagonR in Chennai

India's leading car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki have launched all new WagonR, replacing the existing version. The new facelifted car, which got unveiled in chennai just a while ago is priced at Rs.3.30-lakh for WagonR LX BS-IV, Rs.3.54-lakh for LXI BS-IV and Rs.3.74-lakh for VXI model (All Ex-Showroom Chennai prices).

The existing WagonR, which was launched earlier in 1999 had not only won the hearts of 8.8-lakh customers but also stood the second largest selling model in the Maruti Suzuki stable last year.


The all new WagonR, the revised hatchback is developed from the latest platform of the version that is available in Japan, is powered by the BS-IV compliant 998 cc K-series engine. What is more, the company had pumped in Rs.290-crore to come u with the new generation WagonR, which would compete with the likes of Chevrolet Beat (Rs.3.41-lakh to Rs.4.3-lakh), Ford Figo (Rs.3.49-lakh to Rs.3.99-lakh) and Hyundai i10 (Rs.3.47-lakh to Rs.3.83-lakh).

While speaking at the launch in Chennai, Shuji Oishi, Director - Manufacturing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki said: "The launch of our new generation WagonR is quite significant for us in various aspects. This product is a testimony of our growing R&D capability".

Elaborating on the introduction of new model of WagonR and the eventual phasing out of its existing model, which averaged around 10,000 to 20,000 units a month, GP Chadha, Regional Manager (South), Maruti Suzuki said: "We are confident that we would be able to maintain the excellent sales record created by the existing WagonR, with our new model".

The compact car segment is hotting up in India with the launch of WagonR the new model in the fray, competing with 20 other models in the market. As far as the pricing is concerned, the new WagonR is a tad bit expensive than the previous model, which was tagged between Rs.3.23-lakh and Rs.3.7-lakh.

The new facelifted version of WagonR has lot of changes. Firstly, the new car is BS IV compliant. What is more, the new engine which will have the unique K10B technology, with a highly improved transmission system, which gives a super mileage of 18.0 kmpl.

Powered by 998cc KB series, the company has developed 67PS (50KW) of maximum power at 6300 RPM and 90Nm of maximum torque at 3500 RPM, in comparison with the existing WagonR's power of 1061cc engine developing 64PS of maximum power and 84Nm of maximum torque. The KB10B is the unique technology developed by the company, which it had already tried out successfully with the launch of Maruti Suzuki A-Star. Obviously, after proving the efficacy of the platform, the Maruti Suzuki is now trying it out the KB10B technology in WagonR to give a new generation look and feel. As a short term goal, the company is launching the new WagonR and it is further rolling out a CNG variant of the WagonR as well. The company, besides changing the engine for the new WagonR, it has also made radical changes in styling, both in terms of exteriors as well as interiors.

Primarily, the company has changed its boxy look with the redisigning of the headlamp. The new generation KB10B means, extended longevity as well. As far as the the interiors are concerned, the company has meticulously planned to give a classy look by introducing an all new instrument panel and the dual tone interiors will certainly impress the discerning fans and the company is looking forward in boosting the sales of the second largest selling variant from the Suzuki stable. And that is not all. The company has introduced ABS technology and the new variant would come with airbags keeping in mind the safety factor.

The new WagonR got styling changes both in exterior and interior. The exterior changes include an all new headlamp,new front fascia and new tail lamp styling. The new headlamp helps the WagonR to shed its boxy look and extend it life term. On the interiors, the new WagonR gets an all new instrument panel. The new dual tone interiors help in boosting the sales of India’s second largest selling car further. New WagonR will also come with ABS and airbags. In fact, the company had already launched this variant in the Japanese markets last year itself and now they are making this version in India.

NANO – Rs.1 lakh Peoples Car

Nano - Tata’s 624 cc - 1 lakh ($2500 Car) dream car has been launched on 10th Jan’08 and will be available from Sep’08. On the face it is good news for the masses. Many two wheeler owners are expected to shift to four wheels with four seats. May be it is not a good news for the manufacturers of two wheelers.It is a boon for the family of four who sits on the Motor Cycle or Scooter with wife or kids or both sitting precariously on the pillion reciting Hanuman Chalisa under their breath.

It will also reduce the fatalities in road accidents in a country where even the Highway riders do not bother to wear the helmet. And rather helmet is treated like Gandhians used to treat the imported clothes during Swadeshi Movement.

The Nano, as the Rs.1 lakh car is named, is projected to making the dream for owning a four wheeler a reality for the self propelled two wheeler owner as well as bullock propelled two wheeler owners – the farmers. It will provide safe, affordable and all weather mode of transport for “Hum do Humare Do”. This is the logic given by RATAN TATA. A very noble thought indeed. Ratan Tata also said while unveiling Nano that even though the figure of Rs.1 Lakh was announced about 5 years back still the car will be offered at Rs.1 lakh - “Promise is a Promise”.

There are people who dream for themselves and their families but there are people who have risen above all these and they dream for the people. Though Ratan Tata does not have an immediate family, which is immaterial as he is beyond all these worldly attachments. He is the kind of corporate people who love to dream for the masses and in the light of this his vision and fruition of vision is laudable.

TOI published an article about consumption of petrol worth 1040 crores in a period of two years by 2010, by which time 5 lakh Nanos are expected to hit the roads. The correspondent had made this, the emission of polluting gases and the loss to exchequer on account of subsidy of 164 crore (assuming 365 litres per car per year for 5 lakh cars @ Rs.9.00 of loss per litre on subsidy) in two years as the point which in his opinion is the greatest disadvantage. It has been further stated that the consumption of Petrol will increase by the entire quantity for 5 lakh cars of 18.25 crore litres. This oversimplified assumption is fraught with errors.

Firstly the increase in number of cars does not mean increase in the number of people and the same person will either drive two wheeler or a car. Thus there may be marginal increase in consumption. Nano has far lower pollution levels than two wheelers and the adverse environmental effects due to the marginal increase in the petrol consumption would be offset by lower pollution levels.

Apart from the assumptions, which would not hold ground, this is taking a very narrow view of things. There are other important issues, which are more important.

In Metros and big cities like Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Hyderabad etc. the parking is a big issue and problem for the car owners and pedestrians alike though for different reasons. The space required for parking Nano, however small it is will not be less than that required for 3 two wheelers. It is not only the issue of space but also of the ease of parking two wheelers. That issue is of concern to the users. In the long run it will result into construction of costly parking spaces, the money for which would go from the pockets of not only the Nano owners and non-Nano owners but even non car owners. So it will then concern everyone.

Secondly, it will encourage the use of individual transport at the cost of public transport – which is the trend presently. This creates further problems – of costly transportation, burning of more imported fuel, further loss of incentive (reduction in compulsion) for the government to do something in the scenario of dilapidated public transport system and increased congestion on roads. There has hardly been any addition in the roads in the cities with the result that the roads are getting choked. Hardly much scope is there for improvement except for building flyovers here and there until we plan vertical expansion of roads to two or three tier roads, which in itself will be a costly proposition. And there is no end to it.

On the contrary, a good public transport system can be built, which would be far cheaper in the long run. Not that no steps are being taken on this front but there is a need to curb the increasing number of cars by some suitable legislation as is prevailing in some countries like Singapore etc.

At present travel using public transport is largely considered to be below dignity except for by Mumbai Suburban and Delhi Metro. This will change only if the state of art technology is brought in this field of public transport in the cities having population of more than 10 million.

The auto rickshawwalas are also thinking seriously for going for Nano as its cost compares well with that of petrol driven auto rickshaw costing around Rs.1.20 lakh and will also give them a big image, esteem and social boost. I am serious.

Nonetheless the technological feat by the Engineers of TATA MOTORS is commendable to produce a world standard car at the lowest prices possible and this will spurn the low cost technology products in automobile sector. TATA MOTORS has filed for 34 product patents for NANO itself. And the other important thing is that TATA's have given the people of India a product which never existed before.

The issue is not as simple as it appears to be. There would be more issues than meet the eye and only time will tell if this launch was a boon or a bane. Thus I take the launch of 1 lakh car with a pinch of salt.