A car named Dezire
Mohini Bhatnagar
08 January 2008
Maruti Suzuki is planning to replace the Esteem with a car named Dezire, a sedan, based on the Swift platform.
New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki is planning to replace the Esteem with a car named Dezire, a sedan, based on the Swift platform.
Expected to be priced in the Rs4.7 lakh and Rs6 lakh range the Dezire is essentially a three-box version of the Swift hatchback. Most of the design and engineering on the Dezire is said to have been carried out by Maruti's own engineers in India. The car will be manufactured only in India for the international markets.
To be available in both petrol and diesel fuel options, sources say the Dezire will be positioned as a practical family car; It will have wider rear space and more leg room. Being a three-box sedan, the Dezire will be longer than the 3695mm Swift hatchback, but may be under the four-metre length norm passenger cars need to qualify for the compact car tag to avail of excise duty benefits.
The Swift and Dezire share the 1.3-liter G-series gas engine from the Esteem. The car will be available in a 1.3-litre petrol and a 1.3 litre DDiS multijet diesel engine versions, currently also being offered in the Swift hatchback.
According to industry sources, the Dezire will offer a host of contemporary new features not present in the Esteem and also not available in any of the current lot of mid-sized cars.
The car is being given luxury features like twin front ABS and Auto Temp Control. The top line variant will have a new integrated DIN Stereo and a new set of alloy wheels. The company is said to be working on changes in the grille, fog lamp and the tail lights to distinguish the Dezire from the Swift hatchback.
Launched about 15 years ago, the mid sized Esteem with its 1300cc engine has been one of the most popular mid-size cars. Following its decision to phase out the model, Maruti began cutting production of the Esteem in April 2007, stopping it completely from 24 December 2007.
The model was Maruti's first sedan marketed in the country and was initially called the Maruti 1000. It was later renamed Esteem when it was given a larger 1.3cc engine.
