Maruti Launches Its New Weapon Ritz

Maruti Suzuki Ritz was launched on May 15, 2009. The wait for the car is over for Maruti buyers who have been eagerly awaiting its launch since news of it heading to India spread last year.

The small car Ritz is available in three petrol and two diesel variants. It is available with an introductory price of Rs 3.9 lakh on base model and going up to Rs 5 lakh on high end versions. Ritz is the first car in India to comply with BS-IV emission norms. Maruti Suzuki has based Ritz on the Swift hatch platform, which helped lower the price. The localisation content up to 85 percent has contributed immensely to cost cutting.

Ritz is 3.7 meters long and is 18 meters longer than WagonR. The hatch is fitted with the newly developed K12M engine, which will be manufactured in India, again aiding lower prices. The 1.2 litre petrol engine delivers 84 bhp power and the 1.4 litre DDiS diesel engine generates 74 bhp power. Maruti Suzuki claims that K12M petorl engine offers an average fuel efficiency of 17.7 km/l and the diesel engine gives 21.km/l.

All models get power steering, but only the high end petrol variant ZXi gets tilt adjustable steering wheel with mounted audio controls. Power windows are not available only on base models. However, Maruti Suzuki has incorporated air conditioning in all models. All models get front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes. However, the anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution systems are optional on VXi, VDi variants while being standard on ZXi.

The managing director and CEO for Maruti Suzuki India, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi said "All efforts have been made to keep price low to make it highly affordable. We are geared up to meet all requirements on sales."Maruti Ritz will take upon rivals like the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia. Maruti Suzuki expects to eat into market share of premium small cars too with its strong performance Swift hatch and the newcomer Ritz.

Sources: http://blog.carazoo.com/2009/05/ritz-makes-blitz-into-small-car-scene.html; http://www.carazoo.com/newcars/carreview/Maruti_Suzuki/Ritz