The enhanced standard warranty provides long-lasting coverage for the engine, transmission, mechanical components, electrical and air conditioning systems excluding consumables. This assures a greater peace of mind to customers, as they get access to free repairs at any of Maruti Suzuki's authorized service centres across the country throughout the warranty period.

Also read: India's First Automobile Company to Dispatch 2 Million Vehicles via Indian Railways

Additionally, the company has also expanded the scope of its extended warranty packages and has introduced an extended warranty option to cover the vehicle for up to 6 years or 1,60,000 km (whichever is earlier). Customers can now choose from three extended warranty packages:

• Platinum Package: Customers can avail extended warranty up to 4th year/1,20,000 km (whichever is earlier)
• Royal Platinum Package: Customers can choose an extended warranty up to 5th year/1,40,000 km (whichever is earlier)
• Solitaire Package: Customers can avail extended warranty up to 6th year/1,60,000 km (whichever is earlier)

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Achieves 3 Crore Cumulative Production Milestone

As a customer-friendly initiative, Maruti Suzuki has also expanded the extended warranty coverage of 11 high-value parts which were earlier limited to the duration of standard warranty.

The company made a modest beginning in the export market with neighboring markets like Bangladesh and Nepal in FY 1986-87. The first big consignment of 500 cars was shipped to Hungary in September 1987. Exports to advanced markets helped the company to benchmark its performance against international standards to continuously improve the quality of products and services offered in the Indian market.

With support from the parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation, the company has gradually expanded its presence across other countries. Today, Maruti Suzuki exports to nearly 100 countries. Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East are important export markets for the company.

Speaking on the milestone Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “The landmark export of 2.5 million vehicles stands as a testimony to India’s manufacturing prowess. This feat demonstrates Maruti Suzuki’s resolute commitment to the Government of India’s flagship Make-in-India initiative, and furthering Government’s efforts to enhance vehicle exports. This was possible because of the strong support of our parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, who not only provided strong technological support but also helped us leverage their vast global network to achieve this milestone. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our teams who played an important role in realizing this feat. We thank our global customers and our overseas distributors for their support and trust.”

He added, “Maruti Suzuki started exports way back in FY 1986-87. Since then, our vehicles have earned acceptance and appreciation of global customers for their high quality, superior technology, reliability, performance, and affordability. Today, Maruti Suzuki stands strong as the number one exporter of passenger vehicles from India.

Maruti Swift S-CNG is powered by the popular and tested 1.2L K-series engine that makes 77.49 PS of max power at 6000 rpm and 98.5 Nm of peak torque at 4300 rpm. Maruti says that the CNG variant of the Swift is capable of returning an efficiency of 30.9 km/kg.

Introducing the Swift S-CNG, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Brand Swift needs no introduction and the iconic sporty hatchback is now available with proven & tested company-fitted Maruti Suzuki S-CNG technology. After enthralling over 26 lakh Swift lovers with its performance, styling and road presence, Swift is now available with S-CNG to delight customers with its incredible fuel efficiency of 30.90 Km/kg#. This will be the 9th model in our portfolio with CNG offering, strengthening our commitment to a cleaner and greener environment. Swift has carved a niche for itself in the hearts and minds of the customers, it has continuously evolved and has maintained its persona as the most successful hatchback in the Indian market. The Swift S-CNG is the right proposition for customers, looking for a peppy yet economical city drive.”

Maruti Swift S-CNG is available at a starting price of Rs 7.77 lakh which is for the car's VXi model. The ZXi trim will set you back by Rs 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom). It can also be owned through Maruti Suzuki Subscribe at an all-inclusive monthly subscription fee starting from Rs 16,499.

Maruti Suzuki S-CNG range of vehicles include Alto, WagonR, Celerio, Dzire, Ertiga, Eeco, Super Carry, Tour-S and Swift. Maruti Suzuki has sold over 1 million eco-friendly S-CNG vehicles so far.

Presently, a vast range of over 2000 Maruti Suzuki Genuine Accessories are available online and will be expanded progressively to include more products. Data suggests that over 30% of customers prefer to buy car accessories online for their car enhancement. Maruti Suzuki’s initiative is accordingly aligned with the changing trends and customer needs for digital buying.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Changing times and customer preferences have ushered radical changes in the way today’s customers' shop. Increasingly online buying is the preferred mode of purchase. Maruti Suzuki draws inspiration from these changing customer behaviours and therefore we have digitized 24 out of 26 touchpoints of customers’ car buying journey. The availability of Maruti Suzuki Genuine Accessories online is in line with our aim to offer a seamless ‘Phygital’ buying experience to customers. The website enables a hassle-free experience for the customers to buy Maruti Suzuki Genuine Accessories from the comfort of their homes. Maruti Suzuki Genuine parts and accessories provide the right fit for the vehicles as they offer safety, reliability, and superior vehicle performance. The online availability will further empower customers to purchase our trusted and reliable vehicle accessories.”

The Maruti Suzuki Genuine Accessories website offers a user-friendly experience and allows customers to order accessories online in three easy steps – Browse -> Add to Cart -> Order. Users can search accessories based on the vehicle model, variant and product category.

The website enables all users to order Genuine Accessories online with the trust of Maruti Suzuki, and enhance their vehicles according to their taste, anytime and from anywhere. They can choose to make the payment through a digital payment gateway with payment mode of their choice. Option of accessory fitment at home or at dealer’s location is available to the customers, they can choose any option as per their preference for a seamless purchase experience.

The Suzuki Swift made in India with two airbags as standard achieved zero stars. The popular compact car achieved 15.53% in the Adult Occupant box, 0% in the Child Occupant box, 66.07% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 6.98% in the Safety Assist box.

Also Read: New Maruti Baleno Interior Features Revealed via New Spy Shot

The Zero-Star result of the Suzuki Swift in the Latin NCAP crash test is explained by the poor side impact protection and an open door during the test, low whiplash score due to the lack of UN32 prove for rear impact test, lack of standard side head protection airbags, lack of standard ESC and the decision of Suzuki of not recommending CRS for the test. This model would not pass Regulation UN95 requirements due to door opening.

The Suzuki Swift is sold in Europe with 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard, while the model in Latin America is not offered with side body and head airbags and ESC as standard. The Latin American version of the hatchback still offers a standard lap belt in the rear centre seating position despite the well-known high injury risks of its use.

Also Read: Upcoming Maruti Swift CNG & Dzire CNG Specs Leaked

Speaking about the Zero-Star rating of Suzuki Swift in the Latin NCAP crash test, Alejandro Furas, Secretary-General of Latin NCAP, said, “It is disappointing and upsetting that such poor safety performances offered by Suzuki to Latin American consumers. Latin NCAP calls and encourages Suzuki to dramatically improve the model standard safety very soon. Latin American consumers are forced to pay more than the basic price to get to the same safety specs that Suzuki offers as standard in markets like Europe and in some cases, they are not even available in Latin America and the Caribbean. Basic vehicle safety, which is standard in mature economies markets, is a right that Latin American consumers should claim without having to pay extra for them. These safety features act like vaccines for one of the most severe pandemics like road traffic injuries and fatalities. Consumers have the right to receive the same vaccine supplied anywhere else without having to pay more for it.”

The upcoming Maruti Swift CNG and Dzire CNG specs have been leaked. We have come across an image shared by “car.spyshots” that reveals the power and torque output of the CNG models.

Also Read: New Maruti Celerio to Have Atleast Two Colour Options - Red, Blue

The new Maruti Swift CNG would borrow the 1.2L, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine from the petrol-powered model in which this motor produces nearly 83 PS of max power at 6000 rpm and 113 Nm of peak torque at 4200 rpm. However, as per the leaked image, the same engine in the CNG version of the popular hatchback would churn out around 71 PS of max power at 6000 rpm and 95 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. Similarly, the new Maruti Dzire CNG model would also be equipped with the same engine under its hood delivering the same output figures.

As expected, the power and torque output figures of the upcoming Maruti Swift CNG and Dzire CNG models see a drop when compared to their petrol-powered counterparts. These cars would have around 13 PS less power and 18 Nm less torque. Now, how this drop would result in the performance of the vehicles, we’ll have to test and see.

Also Read: All-New Maruti S-Cross Expected to Launch by Next Year

While the upcoming Maruti Swift CNG and Dzire CNG would have reduced power and torque, they would provide higher mileage. For reference, the petrol-powered Swift has an ARAI-claimed mileage of 23.2 kmpl with the manual transmission and 23.76 kmpl with the automatic gearbox. Similarly, the petrol-powered Dzire, as per ARAI figures, is capable of returning 23.26 kmpl and 24.12 kmpl with the manual and AMT gearbox respectively.

Also Read: 6 Big Benefits of Buying a Used Car

Firstly, the general public has decided to forego all public transport for their private vehicles out of fear of community spread. Many have shown an increased interest in buying cars in the next six months, particularly pre-owned ones. This increase in car buying is largely correlated to the public wishing a safer method of transport for the family. However, due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, things haven’t been easy.

Due to Covid-19 and the ensuing lockdown, the entire world has witnessed an economic slowdown, India included. Even if buying a car is the safest option, it is not exactly cheap. The cheapest new car in India costs upwards of 3 lakhs, which is why we’re seeing an increased demand for used cars. A well-maintained used car costs upwards of 1 lakh while a 2-3 year old pre-owned car can be had as lows as 2.5 lakh. These cars are more than capable of satisfying the needs for physical and economic safety.

22.5% of car buyers who were planning to buy a brand-new car in 2020 are likely to switch to pre-owned vehicles. An increased percentage of people are opting for used cars over the last few years, and the ratio of pre-owned to new car transactions has increased from 1.25 to 1.5 in the last 5 years. Annual pre-owned car transactions currently stand at 4.8 million, compared to 3.3 million new car transactions in FY 2019-20.

Buying a used car is an economically more sound decision if the fundamental issues of transparent pricing & assured quality are taken care of. The depreciation curve of most vehicles suggests that the value sees a significantly faster depreciation in the first few years, after which the depreciation rate drops. An average car drops 40% of its on-road price in the first 3 years, compared to 25% of on-road price in the next 3 years.

It is very evident to see that used cars gaining more traction with the general public. CARS24, a trusted platform of pre-owned vehicles, has seen 60%+ of their seller traffic and 100% of buyer traffic is back to the pre-COVID numbers. Pricing of used cars has stayed the same as it was during pre-Covid, validating the demand for them currently.

Is it a good time to buy a car?

How does one choose between a new car and a used car keeping the current financial uncertainty in mind? Doing some basic math to compare the economics of buying a new car vs buying a 3-year-old pre-owned car, all of this for a period of 5 years when the car is assumed to be resold.

After accounting for factors like loan interest, resale value, cost of insurance, maintenance, mileage,  other miscellaneous expenses like parking/cleaning, etc the cost/km of owning a new car for 5 years is INR 21/- vs INR 15.5/- for a 3-year-old pre-owned car. There are also going to be additional personal factors when making this decision, like being a driving enthusiast, tolerance for cab hygiene, wait time, public transport, and more recently fear of infection in shared transport.

Furthermore, the cost of ownership for a pre-owned or used vehicle is way lesser compared to a new one. This is mainly due to the high depreciation rate, RTO and registration fee, registration fees and RTO, higher taxes, and more expensive car insurance policies.

For comparison, the cost of ownership of a new hatchback for 5 years costs around Rs 9.60 lakh compared to Rs 7 lakh or lesser for a pre-owned one. This price range increases accordingly to the higher the car’s segment is, especially luxury ones. It must be noted here that the above has been based on the assumption of lower mileage, higher maintenance cost, and higher interest rate for the pre-owned car.

Are you planning to purchase a used car? If so, it needs to be mentioned here that IndianAuto, our sister concern, offers a wide range of used car classifieds from almost every city across the country. These classifieds offer full details of the car on sale along with even providing many high-quality pictures. Finally, the website has a highly user-friendly interface that allows you to quickly set filters and get the most relevant results.

The Pocket Rocket

This first-gen Swift has been extensively modified to increase the overall performance by a significant margin. For those wondering, this Maruti Swift modified model is powered by a 1.3-L petrol engine that has been tuned to deliver 176 bhp. For starters, the car gets a Garrett GT20 turbo upgrade in addition to a Haltech Sprint ECU upgrade. Moreover, the car also gets an intercooler with silicone plumbing. The stock clutch has been replaced with a Stage 1 Exedy clutch to handle the extra power and torque from the engine. The flywheel, too, has been replaced with a Fidanza performance flywheel.

Also Read: 2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift - Old vs New - Specs, Prices and Features Compared

To further increase the performance of the vehicle, the stock exhaust system has been removed and the car now gets a custom twin exit exhaust system while the engine now features forged pistons. The suspension of the vehicle too has been significantly tuned to improve the driving dynamics. The stock suspension has been swapped with Tein Superstreet adjustable suspension with electronic damping control. The brakes have been upgraded and the stock brakes were removed to install D1Spec 6 Piston brakes with 320 mm rotors. 16-inch Sparco Assetto rims with 205/50 tyres provide better grip and control to the vehicle. Other changes made to the vehicle include the installation of Toora racing seats, Takata racing harness, Toora deep-dish steering wheel, and Swift sport bumper.

The Wrapped Monster

Nardo Grey is slowly gaining popularity and the wrap justifies its demand when we look at this Maruti Swift modified model with nardo grey wrap. The car not only gets aesthetic mods but also has a number of other upgrades which have improved its performance and driving dynamics. To begin with, the car runs on Stage 2 RedBandRacing ECU tune while the stock exhaust has been replaced with Zeroforce Valvetronic exhaust system. The stock intake, too, has been upgraded and the car now features a Simota Intake system. Powering this beast is the 1.2-L VVT petrol engine that is famous for its reliability and great power delivery.

Other changes made to the exteriors include the installation of 17-inch 8J rims. The stock headlamps have been modified and now feature projector lamps inside the headlight assembly. Likewise, the tail lamps too have been changed to give it a better road presence.

Also read - Should You Buy New or Used Car in This Time of Pandemic?

The Underdog

This red-colored Swift is powered by a Stage 2 tuned 1.2-L petro engine that delivers an estimated peak power output of 98 bhp. The car runs on Stage 2 Wolf Moto Performance ECU Tune. The new ECU tune also features Pops and Crackles. The catalytic converter has been removed from the system and the end-can has been replaced with Remus end-can. The performance has been further improved by the installation Simota racing intake system with stainless steel piping. The car also gets improved handling and dynamics, all thanks to the Triple S lowering springs and wider, 18-inch tyres. At the rear, it also comes with a high-quality ABS custom spoiler. Overall, this is one of the most practical and subtle vehicles on our list.

The Angry Bird

If you prefer aggressive styling and an imposing stance, you will surely gonna love this black Maruti Swift modified model. For starters, the car features a custom exhaust system and is powered by a 1.2-L petrol engine. The stock intake has been replaced with BMC cold air intake system to further improve the performance. It is worth noting that no changes have been made to the ECU tuning of the car and the car runs on the stock ECU map. The Cobra lowering springs on this car not only improve the handing but also give it a better stance. The stock wheels have been replaced by 17-inch 7.5J Lenso Jager Dyna Rims which are wrapped in 205/45/17 Micheline Pilot Sport 4 tyres. In addition to the aftermarket headlamps and tail lamps, this Swift also features a Swift Sport body kit which gives it a more sporty and aggressive character.

The Elegant One

This Maruti Swift modified model is the only car on our list that is powered by an oil burner. To begin with, the 1.3-L DDis Engine powering this vehicle gets Pete's performance ECU tune and now not only delivers better power and torque figures but also boasts improved power delivery. The stock springs have been changed with Eibach Pro-kit lowering springs which give it a better stance and driving dynamics. Upfront, the stock grille has been customized and the OEM headlamps have been removed to give way to aftermarket headlights. The tail lamps of the vehicle, too, have been changed.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar Tastefully Modified For Wrangler-Like Look By Azad 4x4

Other upgrades made to the Maruti Swift modified model include the 16-inch Sparko rims which get Maxxis tyres. The car has been repainted in pearl white color to complement the overall design of the vehicle. Minor changes have been made to the front bumper of the car and the blacked-out ORVMs definitely go well with this design.

For more such interesting stories, keep checking IndianAutosBlog.com.

The render has been uploaded by _kenei_luho_designs_ on Instagram. This Maruti Swift looks nothing like the one you can buy in the market, the first thing you immediately notice is the impossibly low ride height, gold colour shade, and the lack of a bonnet. The stock 1.2-litre petrol has been ditched and in comes a 6-cylinder twin-turbo monster, the old JDM-spec Toyota Supra’s 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo maybe? There are aluminium strut braces across the engine to make the body stiffer while the left fog lamp has been swapped for an intercooler intake. This Swift also gets a full body kit with a front splitter, a massive rear wing, and side body trimmings. It's shod in a set of grey vane-style alloys that are wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Overall this render looks like a flight of fantasy, with the cost of doing a mod like this way out of most people’s budgets. However, it does give an instant desire of wanting one.

Also Read - 2021 Maruti Swift Already On Sale With Discounts - Upto INR 50k Off!

The mid-life refresh of the Maruti Swift gets a new front grille with a silver finish on the grille mesh along with a chrome strip on the centre.  There are 3 new dual-tone colours - Pearl Arctic White with Pearl Midnight Black roof, Solid Fire Red with Pearl Midnight Black roof, Pearl Metallic Midnight Blue with Pearl Arctic White roof. Other than that changes are negligible with the new Swift retaining most of the elements from the pre-facelift model. Over to the interior, the updated Swift gets new features like an updated 4.2-inch TFT MID display between the analogue dials, a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SmartPlay Studio which offers better integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, key synchronised auto foldable ORVMs, and cruise control.

The 2021 Maruti Swift gets a new engine, the 1.2-litre four-pot K-Series Dual-Jet engine which also does duty on the Baleno. It makes peak power and torque figures of 90 PS and 113 Nm, respectively. The engine also comes with an idle start-stop function and can be mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT.

Prices for the new Swift range from Rs 5.73 lakh for the base LXI trim, going up to Rs 8.27 lakh for ZXI+ AMT flagship trim. Do note all prices are ex-showroom.

Hyundai i20

In its new avatar, the Hyundai i20 comes with features loaded to the brim. It replaces the older gen Elite i20 and establishes itself as a true premium hatchback with features like Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity system that comes along with 50+ connected features along with OTA updates. The car also benefits from a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. Also on offer, on the top-spec Asta (O) trim is a digital instrument cluster, a 7 speaker Bose sound system, sunroof, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more.

But what's more important is the fact that it gets two automatic gearbox options to suit your needs, both with the 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 87 bhp and 115 Nm of torque. There's a CVT unit in four variants, while there's also a DCT gearbox for performance aficionados in 4 variants. However, if you are the one who considers the newly launched iMT (intelligent manual transmission) as an automatic gearbox, the good news is i20 also gets this gearbox in multiple variants.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

The next model in our list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India is none other than the Maruti Suzuki Swift, which is the best selling hatchback of India for four years in a row. Maruti recently launched the updated version of Swift, now in its third generation with changes coming in the form of a brand new engine and a handful of exterior and interior changes to keep it fresh in the portfolio. The talking point of the Swift is a brand new engine in the form of a K12 series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with an idle start-stop function. Simply put, the same 1.2-litre engine will now return a higher fuel efficiency of 23.20-kmpl in manual transmission and 23.76-kmpl when paired with the AMT gearbox. The power figures have also bumped by 7 bhp to 89 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

In terms of cosmetic changes, the 2021 Swift features a new chrome stripe on the single-piece front grille which now has a mesh pattern. Other highlights include a dual-tone exterior shade, projector headlights, LED DRLs, 15-inch precision-cut alloy wheels, floating roof effect are to be carried over from the current model. On the inside, the cabin gets silver ornamentation and a twin-pod instrument cluster with a coloured 4.2-inch TFT display. The new Swift now also ships with cruise control, idle start-stop function, and key synchronised auto-foldable ORVMs.

Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo has been a potent competitor in the performance and premium hatchback segment of India. Prices for the car starts at INR 6.01 lakh and goes up to INR 9.92 lakh* for the top-rung variant. While the car is known for its timeless design and driving fun, it also gets an automatic gearbox to suit the premium bunch. The car comes in four variants including the Trendline, Comfortline, Highline Plus, and GT. At its heart, the car gets an option between a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 75 PS and 95 Nm and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol motor making 110 PS and 175 Nm. While the former is mated to a 5-speed MT, the latter can be paired with either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT.

In terms of features, the car comes with premium features like cruise control, auto AC with rear AC vents, rain-sensing wipers, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Similarly, its safety net comes equipped with rear parking sensors and dual front airbags. In India, the car goes up against the likes of Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Glanza, Tata Altroz, and the Honda Jazz.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Another Hyundai on our list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India is the Grand i10 Nios, an ever-popular badge in the hatchback segment in India. Hyundai recently updated the Nios, making the package a lot more attractive with modern features and laudable powertrain options. More importantly, it ships with an AMT transmission in the car 1.2-litre petrol engine that delivers 82 bhp and 114 Nm of torque.

The i10 Nios offers first-in-segment features like a wireless phone charger, 7.9-inch touch screen infotainment system - a multi-media system equipped with smartphone connectivity - Android Auto, Apple Car Play, voice recognition function along with i-Blue smartphone app support. It also features the Arkamys Premium Sound System with four modes to choose from – Natural, Live, Lounge and Club. Safety features in the car come in the form of driver and passengers airbags and seat belt warning.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Last on the list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India is the premium hatchback Baleno from the maker of Swift - Maruti Suzuki. The Baleno can be bought in four trims – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. Under the hood, the Baleno is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol unit that generates 84 bhp and 140 Nm of torque. The engine gets a five-speed manual as standard, while there's also a CVT gearbox option. Interestingly, Baleno is the only Maruti product to get a CVT gearbox. The rest either gets AMT or AT options. The car is priced at INR 5.70 lakh* in India.

On the inside, the Baleno now gets black interiors with premium blue contrast detailing. On offers are a dual-tone seat fabric design and an upgraded next-generation Smartplay Studio connected infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The device also informs about low fuel, parking brake, etc. Standard safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts and rear parking sensors are standard.

So, which of these models in our list of Top 5 Automatic Small cars in India appeals the most to you?

*Ex-showroom prices.

The car seen in the pictures here belongs to Praveen Murugan, who hails from Tamil Nadu. This modified Swift started life as the base-spec Maruti Swift LXI. However, it looks nothing like the entry-level trim of the hatchback anymore. The owner has performed a slew of modifications on his Swift to make it look meaner and sharper. It gets Swift Sport’s body kit, which includes a sportier front bumper, side skirts, and a rear bumper with a massive diffuser. To ensure there’s enough oomph factor, the owner has wrapped the car in a Fluorescent Green shade. For the dual-tone treatment, the roof is finished in glossy black.

Moreover, it gets spoiler at the rear. The owner has swapped the stock headlamps and taillamps with a set of aftermarket units, which feature a smoked effect. The base-spec Maruti Swift comes with 14-inch steel rims. This example, however, now rides on 17-inch Lenso rims, shod with Yokohama tyres. With these changes, it comes up as a tastefully modified example. Sadly, there are no mechanical upgrades to talk of.

Recently, the Swift has received a mid-cycle update, which comes with revised styling, a beefed-up feature list, a powerful motor, and increased prices. While the changes on the exterior are minimal and limited to a new radiator grille only, it now gets a new Dualjet motor which also does duties on the Dzire. The 1200cc powerplant develops a peak power output of 90 PS and max torque of 113 Nm. Also, there are two transmission choices to choose from – 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT. With prices starting from INR 5.73 lakh and going up to INR 8.41 lakh, Swift competes with the likes of Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Ford Figo.

As we had both the cars at our disposal recently, we thought of putting their acceleration runs against each other to find out which one’s quicker to show the 100 kmph reading on the speedometer. In the first attempt, both Swift and Ignis took 13.50 seconds to reach the 100 kmph mark. However, in the second attempt, the Swift took 13.97 seconds to reach the 100 kmph mark, while the Ignis took 13.23 seconds to do the same.

Also Read - Yet Another 2021 Maruti Swift with Stylish Aftermarket 17-inch Alloys

The third final run followed the same suit, with Swift taking 13.23 seconds to do the 0-100 kmph sprint, while the Ignis taking 12.80 seconds only, thereby making it nearly half a second quicker to the ton. With these results at our hands, it is clear that the Ignis is the peppier one of the two. While the Swift is a more powerful car on paper, it is the Ignis that wins on the tarmac.

The bigger contact patch of the Swift facelift’s tyres can be addressed as a reason for the Ignis’ win. The top-spec ZXI+ trim of the Swift facelift comes with 185/65/R15 tyres. The range-topping trim of the Ignis facelift, on the other hand, rides on a set of 175-section rubber. Talking of the prices, the Ignis facelift starts at INR 4.89 lakh and tops out at INR 7.30 lakh. The Maruti Swift facelift, on the other hand, is priced between INR 5.73 lakh and INR 8.41 lakh.

The above image was shared by Plati Alloy Wheels via a social media platform. In the image, a customized Maruti Swift facelift can be seen donning a set of 5-spoke alloy wheels, which are finished in a Hyper Silver paint scheme. They are draped in low-profile tyres to look cool. Also, they lend the Swift with increased road grip. These rims come from the collection of Plati Alloy Wheels. From the factory, the Swift is offered with a set of 15-inch alloy wheels that come shod with 185-section tyres.

Also Read - Pre-facelift Maruti Swift Modified Into Latest Model For Below INR 1700

With the stock rubber, the Swift certainly feels under-tyred, as it runs out of traction at times. Hence, bigger rims with wider tyres do help this best-selling hatchback with improved dynamics. Other modifications on this particular model include aftermarket LED DRLs, which are integrated into the fog lamp housings. Additionally, the owner has also added chrome inserts for the door handles.

Talking of the powertrain, the Swift facelift comes with the K12N motor, which was earlier seen on the Dzire facelift. The 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated power plant dishes out 90 PS of peak power and 113 Nm of max torque. In comparison to the pre-facelift model, it is a power bump of 7 PS. However, the torque output remains unchanged. The new Dualjet motor of the Swift can be had paired to either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT. The prices for the Swift now start at INR 5.78 lakh and top out at INR 8.41 lakh.

Also Read: Is Maruti Suzuki Cooking Up A Stronger Hybrid Variant Of the Baleno?

The modified Maruti Swift from Goa that you see above is a good case in point. These images have been shared with us by our friend Abhay Rajpurohit. We had earlier featured his car on sister publication, IndianAuto, for the various subtle-yet-sporty modifications it carries. While these modifications continue to bestow Abhay's car with some additional street-cred, the latest update that his Swift carries is the new grille from the facelift-ed version. What's worth a mention here is that the owner has spent just about INR 1700 for this modification. We reckon this is the first-ever pre-facelift Maruti Swift to have received the updated grille.

Other modifications that this Maruti Swift carries include sporty-looking 15-inch alloy wheels from the Ciaz, a front bumper splitter, side skirts and a rear diffuser. It must be noted that all of these are genuine accessories from Maruti. Other updates include a sporty rear spoiler and black coloured stripes on the front fenders. As this one's the pre-facelift version, it's powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder gasoline mill which develops 82PS of maximum power and 113 Nm of peak torque.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Maruti Swift features the Dual Jet Dual VVT version of the K-series 1.2-litre motor. The updated engine outputs 89 PS-113 Nm. As before, transmission options include a 5-speed MT and an AMT. ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figures have gone up from 21.21 km/l to 23.20 km/l in MT and 23.76 km/l in AMT version. If Maruti is to be believed, the new model also gets bigger disc rotors for a stronger brake bite. Other than the new grille, the MY2021 Swift gets optional dual-tone exterior paint and small updates for the interior trim. The dual-tone paint options for the new Swift include-

• Pearl Arctic White with Pearl Midnight Black Roof
• Solid Fire Red with Pearl Midnight Black Roof
• Pearl Metallic Midnight Blue with Pearl Arctic White Roof

Prices of the 2021 Maruti Swift start at Rs 5.73 lakh and top out at Rs 8.41 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

Renault Kwid

Renault's latest update for the Kwid was a laudable one. The entry-level hatchback, in many ways, helped Renault established the brand's foothold in the country. The new Renault Kwid comes with an updated design and sports a new imposing front fascia among other tweaks. The car has shown a substantial leap in terms of features as well. The update has brought in plenty of addition in the cabin as well. It gets a new steering wheel, a redesigned dash and a fully-digital instrument cluster. Also on offer is the new MEDIANAV Evolution infotainment system that comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands. There’s a piano black surround for the touchscreen with subtle chrome accents, which feels quite premium for the segment.

What also works in its favour is that the Kwid gets a boot space capacity of 279 litres, which is more than the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and the Datsun Redi-GO. At its heart is an 800-cc unit that delivers 54 hp and 72 Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre block that churns out 68 hp and 91 Nm of torque. There are options of both manual as well as AMT gearboxes to choose from. The facelift comes at a starting price of INR 3.12 lakh*.

Maruti Suzuki Alto

The Maruti Suzuki Alto requires no introduction. The car has been one of the best-selling models for the largest selling manufacturer in India. Over a decade of being on sale in India, the Alto recently crossed 40 lakh unit in India alone. The car has also made frequent appearance in the top-10 best-selling cars of the country. The Alto was first launched in 2000 and the price of the car starts at INR 2.99 lakh*.

In its current avatar, the car is available in only 800 cc model, while recently the 1.0-litre K10 model was replaced by S-Presso. The 800 cc model produces 48 hp and is paired to a 5-speed manual only. At the start of this year, the 800 cc Alto underwent a facelift; received a cosmetic makeover, the engine was upgraded to meet BS6 emission standards, and it meets upcoming crash- and pedestrian safety regulations. On the inside, the new Alto gets the Smart Play Dock with Bluetooth connectivity.

Hyundai Santro

The Santro rooted Hyundai’s brand name in India. After being absent in the market for a while, Hyundai brought back the Santro badge in a rather interesting package, replacing the i10 as the brand's entry-level hatchback. In line with its stablemates, the new Hyundai Santro comes with a few segment-first features like a 7-inch touchscreen audio-video system. The multi-media system has Android Auto, Apple Carplay and Mirror Link along with supporting Voice Recognition Function & Rear Parking Camera display on the screen. It is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine which produces 69 ps at 5,500 rpm. Prices for the new Santro starts at INR 4.67 lakh*. There is no doubt that it should be in the list of best cars under 6 lakh in India.

Renault Triber

The Renault Triber is the latest addition in the seven-seater space having debuted this time last year. With prices starting at INR 5.30 lakh*, the Triber comes as a neat and rather unconventional package for someone looking to buy a car below 6 lakh. The Renault Triber gets a 5+2 cabin where the third row can be flat folded, or fully removed to create a boot space of 675-litre, making it a highly practical car. In fact, it gets two glove-boxes, and other pockets specifically designed for Indian buyers.

In terms of features, the car gets keyless entry and start, a touchscreen multimedia system, a driver information system, electric ORVMs without fold function, and a cooled box in the centre. On the safety front, the car gets ABS, EBD, and adjustable headrests for four occupants. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 70 bhp and a little under 100 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a manual transmission as well as an AMT unit.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Last on our list of best cars under 6 lakh in India is the Maruti Swift, which was recently launched with an updated version. The changes come in the form of a brand new engine and a handful of exterior and interior changes to keep it fresh in the portfolio. It now gets a K12 series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with an idle start-stop function. Simply put, the same 1.2-litre engine will now return a higher fuel efficiency of 23.20-kmpl in manual transmission and 23.76-kmpl when paired with the AMT gearbox. The power figures have also bumped by 7 bhp to 89 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

In terms of cosmetic changes, the 2021 Swift features a new chrome stripe on the single-piece front grille which now has a mesh-pattern. Other highlights include a dual-tone exterior shade which can be had with the top ZXi+ trim. The projector headlights, LED DRLs, 15-inch precision-cut alloy wheels, floating roof effect are to be carried over from the current model. On the inside, the cabin gets a twin-pod instrument cluster with a coloured 4.2-inch TFT display, cruise control, idle start-stop function, and key synchronised auto-foldable ORVMs. The 2021 Maruti Swift is current on sale with the price starting from Rs 5.73 Lakh* in India.

*Ex-showroom price

Maruti Suzuki started exporting vehicles way back in FY1986-87. Since then, the company has exported 20 lakh cars including models such as the Swift, Vitara Brezza, Dzire, Jimny, S-Presso, and more. The firm has recently announced this achievement.

Speaking on the feat, Mr Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said:

The Company is committed to Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s vision of Make-in-India. The 20 lakh vehicle exports from Maruti Suzuki are a testimony of the same. Maruti Suzuki has been exporting vehicles for the past 34 years much before India became a prominent player in the global automobile business. This early global exposure helped the Company enhance its quality and attain global benchmarks. Currently, we export 14 models, nearly 150 variants, to over 100 countries. Vehicles manufactured at our facilities in India have found high acceptance owing to global standards of quality, safety, design and technology. Going forward, the Company has aligned itself with the evolving needs of customers in African and Latin American nations. With a flurry of new models in the pipeline, Maruti Suzuki will attract customers in new segments to enable the Company to accomplish bigger milestones at a much faster pace.

In FY2012-13, Maruti Suzuki India Limited achieved the milestone of 10 lakh exports. More than 50% of the exports were undertaken to developed markets in Europe. The subsequent 10 lakh exports came in over eight years with a special focus on emerging markets in Latin America, Africa and Asia regions.

With concerted efforts, Maruti Suzuki India Limited has been able to gain a sizeable share in markets like Chile, Indonesia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Models such as the Alto, Baleno, Dzire and Swift have emerged as popular choices in these countries.

Also Read: New Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Rivals - Size, Specs and Prices Compared

In other news, the 2021 Maruti Swift has been recently launched in India. The updated model gets a new engine, refreshed looks, and other exciting features that should make the car an overall better package.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

2021 Maruti Swift Specs

Powering the new Swift is the next-gen K-Series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine which comes with Idle Start Stop (ISS) technology. Maruti says that this motor is capable of delivering best-in-class fuel efficiency - 23.20 km/l in MT and 23.76 km/l in AGS variants - with lower emissions. As for the power, this mill produces 89PS of max power at 6000rpm.

2021 Maruti Swift Features

The new Swift comes with a dual-tone exterior to further enhance the hatchback’s overall visual appeal. There’s a new cross mesh grille with bold chrome accents which provide a distinctive front look. The company has also provided some silver ornamentation in the interior to add more premium-ness.

Some of the other key features of the 2021 Maruti Swift include cruise control, idle start and stop and key synchronized auto foldable ORVMs. There’s a new 10.67cm multi-information coloured TFT display as well. The 17.78cm Smartplay Studio infotainment system combines smartphone, vehicle, and cloud-based services to enhance the overall ownership experience.

Also Read: Is Maruti Suzuki Cooking Up A Stronger Hybrid Variant Of the Baleno?

2021 Maruti Swift Safety Features

The AGS variants of the new Swift come with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with hill-hold as standard. Other safety features include steering with enhanced return ability mechanism, new bigger sized front and rear brakes. The new model also has dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Pre-tensioner and force limiter seat belts, driver and co-driver seat belt reminder, ISOFIX, and reverse parking sensors with a rearview camera.

2021 Maruti Swift Colours

The attractive dual-tone colours of the new Swift include three options-

• Pearl Arctic White with Pearl Midnight Black Roof
• Solid Fire Red with Pearl Midnight Black Roof
• Pearl Metallic Midnight Blue with Pearl Arctic White Roof

2021 Maruti Swift Price

The new Swift is available in 5 variants starting from INR 5.73 lakh* and going all the way up to INR 8.41 lakh*. Following is a detailed price table for your reference.

*Ex-showroom, Delhi

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe was already available in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. The company says it has received a positive response from the customers and hence extended its car subscription service to new cities for a wide reach. Maruti Suzuki has partnered with ORIX Auto Infrastructure Services India, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation, Japan, to introduce the Subscribe program for individual customers in the newly added cities.

Also Read: Maruti Ertiga, India’s best-selling MPV, achieves 5.5 lakh sales milestone

Announcing the company’s customer-centric approach, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said:

The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe program has received encouraging response from the customers. We have received over 6,600 enquiries in the first few months of pilot launch. We are delighted to introduce the program in Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The Maruti Suzuki Subscribe program comes with a bouquet of benefits like flexible tenure, zero down payment, insurance and complete maintenance. The program also provides the customers with peace of mind with 24x7 roadside assistance and customer support. We are aiming to introduce the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe program in 40-60 cities over a period of 2 to 3 years.

The unique initiative - Maruti Suzuki Subscribe - allows a customer to use a brand-new Maruti Suzuki car without actually owning it. The customer needs to pay an all-inclusive monthly fee that comprehensively covers maintenance and insurance for the complete tenure.

Users can opt from a wide range of new Maruti Suzuki cars offered under the Maruti Suzuki Subscribe namely - Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, and Ertiga from Maruti Suzuki ARENA and Baleno, Ciaz, and XL6 from NEXA. Maruti Suzuki Subscribe offers the car in white number plate (registered in the name of customer) in these cities.