2018 Maruti Ertiga to launch in late October - Report

Car and Bike reports that the 2018 Maruti Ertiga will launch in late October. A festive season launch should help the new product witness a strong demand right from its introduction. Maruti Suzuki will reportedly position the latest generation of its MPV as a premium product and will sell it through the NEXA dealerships.

Underpinning the 2018 Maruti Ertiga will be the lightweight HEARTECT platform. Powering the new model will be the K15B 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that made its debut on the 2018 Maruti Ciaz (facelift). The new motor, which will replace the 1.4-litre unit, offers a maximum power of 104.7 PS at 6,000 RPM and a peak torque of 138 Nm at 4,400 RPM.

Maruti Suzuki will use the second generation of the SHVS mild-hybrid technology to extract more fuel efficiency and acceleration from the powerplant. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic.

The diesel engine variants will feature the same D13A 1.3-litre turbocharged unit that powers the current version. The oil-burner outputs a maximum power of 90 PS and a peak torque of 200 Nm. The company is likely to use this motor until the new Suzuki-developed 1.5-litre diesel engine is ready for its market debut. The ingeniously developed engine will enable Maruti Suzuki to comply with the BSVI emission norms that come into effect from April 2020.

The equipment list of the 2018 Maruti Ertiga will include projector headlights. LED rear combination lamps, keyless entry, engine start/stop button, SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment, rear AC vents, and automatic climate control. Standard safety features on offer will include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, speed alert system, seatbelt warning for front seats, speed-sensing auto door lock, and rear parking sensors.

In India, the 2018 Maruti Ertiga is likely to have a base price of Rs 7 lakh and prices of the diesel variants could start at Rs 8 lakh. The modern architecture, new petrol engine, a higher number of standard safety features, and a larger cabin should justify the price increment.

[Source- auto.ndtv.com]