Maruti Ritz Review

Maruti Ritz is perhaps the most awaited and hyped car from Maruti Suzuki. The car is positioned in the premium A2 market segment, which includes its compact offerings such as Alto, WagonR, Swift, Zen and the newly-launched A-Star. Hyundai has already launched their i10 model in the Indian market. Now, it's the turn of market leaders Maruti Suzuki to respond with a brand new vehicle for the Indian market. engineers from Maruti Suzuki worked at close quarters with their Japanese counterparts in the development of the Ritz, much like that for the A-Star. MUL seems to be going the complete distance to ensure that the Ritz manages to make an impact on the cut-throat A-2 hatchback space. How far the new Ritz manages to compete with its couterparts is yet to be seen in the time to come.

MUL seems to ensure that the Ritz manages to make an impact on the cut-throat A-2 hatchback space. Giving the car some added firepower are some interesting new tech-features that will help the Ritz distinguish itself from the competition. We've already seen how the new and ultra-low emissions K12M engine will make the Ritz India's first BS-IV ready passenger car. Engineers from the company have gone one step further and made design modifications to the engine to ensure E10 compatibility - meaning that the Ritz will be able to run on 10% ethanol-petrol blend - whenever the Government decides to implement the sale of such fuel.

Given that unlike in international markets, the rear bench is often used by three and not two adults, special emphasis has been given to the shoulder space and rear seat comfort - a redone seat profile included. To go with the same concept, the Ritz carries a redesigned central console has also been provided to ease the ingress and egress for rear seat passengers.

To take in the sometimes massive potholes in India, ground clearance of the Ritz is a good 30mm higher than that on the Splash. The suspension has been retuned for comfort as per Indian roads. A bigger and wider tyre has also been accommodated, along with the body redesigns needed for the same. Unlike traditional hatchbacks, the rear end has allowed for a thicker C-pillar and made provision for a smaller quarter glass that is not very different from the Swift. With an overall width of 1.68 metres, the Maruti Ritz is 8cm wider than the Wagon R+. Smartly shaped headlights give it a friendly appearance, and they combine with a trapezoidal grille to form a “face” that reflects the new Suzuki family identity.

With the growing involvement and dependence of vehicle mechanisms on electronics, it has become necessary to ensure that the electronics of the car do not malfunction when subject to disturbances emanating from communication towers, high voltage power transmission lines and communication devices. Although such Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) tests are mandatory in Europe, it yet has to be implemented in India. The Ritz however is the first Indian passenger car to have cleared these tests at VRDE's recently established EMC facility.

Maruti Ritz Pros :

The new and ultra-low emissions K12M engine will make the Ritz India's first BS-IV ready passenger car.
The engine has E10 compatibility.