Refreshed Maruti Ritz to be launched by this year end - Report

A second facelift for Maruti's 'other' B-segment hatch.

According to Business Standard, India's top car manufacturer Maruti-Suzuki is working on launching three new models and facelifts for six existing models for 2015. Surprisingly, one of the six existing models to receive a facelift is Maruti's B-segment hatchback, the Ritz.

When the Celerio was launched in 2014, analysts predicted that the Ritz would be discontinued to leave some gap for the new hatchback. Also, given the fact that the production of the Suzuki Splash (European counterpart of the Ritz) was discontinued, the odds of Maruti pulling the plug on the Swift-based hatchback were high.

However, Maruti is reportedly not going to discontinue the Ritz anytime soon, with a facelift coming by this year end.

The Ritz saw a minor facelift in 2012, with a re-designed grille and front bumper and the choice of an automatic gearbox on the petrol variant. Since then, Maruti has been quiet about the Ritz, keeping it in the back burner while focusing on other models. In 2014, to make its presence felt in the market, the company introduced the Maruti Ritz Elate limited edition twice, which featured equipment and design touches not available in the standard model.

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Details as to the feature or design changes on the refreshed Ritz remain unknown as of now. Maruti could explore the possibility of offering the Ritz with its AMT.

For 2015, accompanying the facelifted Ritz will be Maruti's premium hatchback, the YRA, as well as the facelifted Dzire, Ertiga, Eeco, and the introduction of an AMT option for the diesel Swift.

[Source: Business Standard]