Maruti set to disrupt mid-size sedan market with Ciaz

India's largest passenger carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is all set to disrupt the premium mid-size sedan market (A3+ segment) with the launch of its new face-lifted premium sedan Ciaz, in a brand new avatar.

The fast-growing A3+ sedan segment has seen sale of 1.72 lakh units across all brands in 2017-18, 34% of which came from Maruti Ciaz. The category witnessed launch of Toyota Yaris earlier this year and uplifted version of Hyundai Verna last year. While Maruti led the segment in 2017-18 with its outgoing Ciaz at 59,000 units, Honda City stood in the second position with total sales of 56,000 units and followed by Hyundai Verna at 36,000 units.

Since its introduction in 2014, the Ciaz sales stood at a cumulative 2,20,000 units, thereby maintaining the leadership position in the A3+ segment. Retailed through the NEXA network, Ciaz has set a new benchmark for customers in the mid-sized premium sedan market. The top end (Alpha) variant of Ciaz contributes 41% of its total sales.

The facelifted Ciaz comes in four variants - Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. The car is fitted with all-new 1.5 litre K15 petrol engine which has been developed by Maruti Suzuki in India. The company claims that the new engine will deliver 13% more power and 6% more torque. The advanced Smart Hybrid Technology with Lithium-ion battery is fitted in petrol variants, which is the segment first.

Maruti has priced its new Ciaz attractively in the range of Rs 8,19,000 to Rs 9,97,000 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru) for petrol version and Rs 9,19,000 to Rs 10,97,000 for diesel version.

Maruti Suzuki has already commenced booking for the new Ciaz and commenced deliveries on Monday. The new Ciaz is manufactured at its Manesar plant.

"The acclaimed 1.3 litre DDiS smart hybrid diesel engine option will excite customers. New Ciaz delivers class leading fuel efficiency of 21.56 km per litre in manual petrol variants and 28.09 km per litre in diesel," R S Kalsi, Senior Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited told DH.

As India’s first Smart Hybrid vehicle, Ciaz continues to build a legacy of innovation. The new Lithium-ion battery is compact, designed for longer service life and contributes to improved fuel efficiency.

The new 2018 Ciaz comes in seven colours- Metallic magma grey, Pearl midnight Black, Nexa Blue, Pearl Sangria Red, Pearl metallic dignity Brown, Metallic premium silver, and Pearl Snow White.