Maruti Celerio Diesel ZDi

Maruti Suzuki has again claimed itself as the mileage champion of Indian diesel vehicles through the introduction of Celerio's diesel version. The car can be called as the twin of the former Celerio, with a change in its soul only. It was the most awaited car as many of the entry level hatchback buyers would have been waiting from a long time, in search of a low maintenance diesel car for a substitute to their fuel drinking petrol ones. The car has finally arrived with a surprisingly attractive price tag.

Exterior

The car features exactly the same shell on which the petrol Celerio was made. The same design has been used to save as much cost as can be saved out of it. The only thing developed new was the engine. The car looks average, not much attractive from its design point of view. It stands tall, as many of the competitors does not have such headroom and ground clearance. Chrome has been lightly used on the car, making it again a super saver pack for the manufacturer. It looks alive in bright shades whereas the dull shade makes it more like a boring city car. The same 6 spoke alloy wheels have been used on the car. Large windows give a better view of outside than most of the entry level hatchbacks.

Interior

This is where Maruti Suzuki has evolved the most in the recent years. The interior of the diesel Celerio remains the same as that of the petrol model. The neat arrangement of black and beige makes it a really impressive car with its price tag being compared to it. The car lacks a touchscreen unit but still the conventional unit makes the dashboard look more beautiful than most of the Maruti Suzuki entry level cars. It comes with all the options like Bluetooth, AUX and USB. The gear knob is the same being carried throughout the entry level offerings, looking much like a golf ball on its stand. The silver accents are pure and look awesome wherever being used on the inside.

Engine & Performance

The new Celerio diesel is powered with a 793cc DDiS125 2-Cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, producing 47 BHP @ 3500 rpm and 125 NM @ 2000 rpm. The same 5-speed manual gearbox being used on the petrol variant has been equipped into the car. It is said to be the most fuel efficient car in India, returning 27.62 kmpl. The engine weighs just 89 kg, making it more effective in weight cutting and the top trim weighs less than 900 kg, making it quiet a light offering with a diesel engine. The power values sound low for a diesel car but the thing has been neglected as the car has been tagged as an ideal city car. The engine noises are said to be a bit more than expected but fully controlled by the insulation system which makes you feel nice inside the car.

Comfort

The car packs all the standard comfort features being offered in the segment. It has spacious interiors which are missing on most of the rivals and that too with plenty of leg space for people with average height. The car gets a powerful air conditioner, which is manually controlled by the iconic Maruti style knobs. The defogger makes it easy in unexpected weathers conditions to see what comes at the rear. It is also accompanied by a heater for winter seasons. The seats are beautifully crafted, saving a lot of space with their slim yet sturdy design.

Safety

The car packs plenty of safety inside. The top variant comes with a driver and passenger airbag for front collisions and strong steel alloy bars have been used for side safety. ABS is present for efficient braking in non-ideal conditions, making it safe on rough roads too. Braking light has been mounted on the rear for better attention of the other cars on the road whereas fog lamps for better visibility in foggy conditions have also been provided.

Variants & Ex-showroom Price

The car comes in 4 variants namely the LDi, VDi, ZDi and ZDi(O). The nomenclature has been carried over from earlier diesel cars and the pricing has been beautifully done at INR 4.65 lac, INR 4.95 lac, INR 5.25 lac and INR 5.71 for the above stated variants in the same order as they are listed. The competitive pricing and vast number of features will definitely lead to a better response to the new comer and it will definitely influence the sales of other cars in the segment.