Maruti Ertiga Review

With the launch of Maruti Ertiga, earlier codenamed as Maruti R3, Maruti Suzuki India has taken into its ambit almost all car segments. Following the robust branding and low maintenance nature of Maruti cars, Maruti Ertiga has hit bang on the MPV market of India. Seven seater Maruti Ertiga is tagged as the great Indian family car. This can be also attributed to the effective price tag associated with Ertiga MPV. The new MPV received its name from Indonesian language in which Ertiga means Three Rows. Albeit the looks and features scream that it is a Multi Purpose Vehicle, Ertiga is positioned in the sub-segment of Utility vehicles and this new segment is called as LUV-Life Utility Vehicle by Maruti. With this, Maruti officials claim they have created an entirely new segment in the Indian auto industry.

Ertiga’s launch has also announced Maruti’s entry into the utility segment of cars where the company is currently not a major player. Maruti in India has a bee-line of cars including some of the best selling ones in almost every segment. It has Maruti Gypsy and Maruti Grand Vitara in the SUV segment; however these have meager sales as compared to SUVs of other brands. Besides, there are vans including Maruti Omni and Maruti Eeco that provide good option and are value for money cars but still used mainly be fleet owners. Ertiga is the first utility vehicle which is targeted as a premium product and is equipped with such features which attract urban audience.

Maruti Ertiga was first unveiled at the Auto Expo held in New Delhi in 2010 as Maruti R3 concept. However, the global premier of Maruti Ertiga was done in 2012 Auto Expo. Finally, on April 12th, 2012, Ertiga made its global debut in Delhi. Ertiga is the first Maruti car that is specially made for Indian market and will then be trimmed for other global markets. Rest, all the cars were first launched in other countries and where tailor made for India afterwards. The compact LUV has been developed in collaboration with parent Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC)'s research and design wing in Japan and is produced in India itself. The Ertiga is manufactured at company's facility in Gurgaon in India. Maruti Suzuki has vested nearly Rs 430 crore (Rs 4.3 billion) in developing Ertiga. The designers have carefully built in `features and attributes’ of a sedan in a compact MPV Maruti Ertiga which is essentially built on theme of togetherness.

The almost fully grown seven-seater MPV or rather, LUV, is available in both petrol and diesel variants and three different trims. Based on Maruti Swift’s platform, Maruti Ertiga petrol is packed with an all new 1.4 litre 1372cc K series (K14B) engine that produces a maximum power of 95 Ps at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 130 Nm at 4000 rpm. Being the K-Series engine, the USP of these engines is that they are more fuel efficient. The Certified fuel efficiency (as per CMV Rule 155, India cycle) of Petrol Ertiga is a top of the class 16.02 km per litre. The 1.3 L 1196cc DDiS Super Turbo diesel engine is the other engine guise that powers the LUV. This Fiat sourced engine is similar to that of the Maruti SX4 sedan. The Maruti Ertiga diesel produces 90 Ps at 4000 rpm and 200 Nm at 1750 rpm. The Certified fuel efficiency (CMV Rule 155, India cycle) of Diesel Ertiga is a class leading 20.77 kmpl. Maruti MPV has a five speed manual transmission system and the car is a front wheel drive and sports fine quality interiors, which makes it more appealing.

Ertiga is quite space efficient and will boast of its interior spacing within the mini MPV segment with 4265mm in length and 2740 mm wheelbase. Two airbags will adorn the top end models while ABS will be a part of standard equipment in Ertiga sans base model. Ertiga MPV is available in six variants: LXi, VXi, ZXi, LDi, VDi and ZDi. The middle and top end variants get twin AC, 3 spoke tilt-power steering with mounted controls, power windows with auto down on driver’s side, central locking, audio system (USB Compatible, 4+2 speakers), multi information display, keyless entry, etc are stuffed in Maruti Ertiga. The roof mounted AC vents in the second and the last row passenger seats provides passenger comfort. The new MPV is unquestionably designed to ensnare the Indian families who are specially looking for a perfect merger of everyday space and usability. This car is able to meet all life’s expectations.