Spied - Maruti Swift facelift spotted in India for the first time

30/08/2014 - 16:33 Maruti Swift, Maruti Suzuki, Spy pictures Nithyanandh K

Gets bumper mounted LED daytime running lights.

As all other premium hatchbacks are either getting a facelift or graduating to a new generation, the segment kingpin Maruti Swift continues as it is for the time being, mostly because the numbers are still in its favor despite renewed competitor onslaught.

Maruti Swift facelift spied India — The facelifted Swift was launched in Europe last year around this time.

The Swift received a minor refresh in the international markets last year and the facelifted model was spotted in India for the first time by Gaadiwaadi at what appears to be a stockyard.

The only telling sign of the updated car is the addition of LED daytime running lights to the bumper. The secondary air dam is a little wider than before and there are new alloy wheel patterns, but that is where the exterior changes end. Of course, the facelift internationally adds new paint options to the palette.

Maruti Swift facelift spied India Red — Exterior changes are modest with the car getting new DRL and extra color options.

The interior also stays unchanged but the features list now includes foldable ORVM, rear parking sensors and auto-up function for the driver side window. The new top-end variant could also offer rear disc brakes (changes inferred from the international facelift).

Also read: Maruti Swift facelift to be launched by November

The current 1.2-litre four-cylinder K-Series petrol motor and the 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced MultiJet diesel engine are very likely to be retained, though Maruti does have the option to plonk in the Ertiga's 1.4-liter motor if it senses market demand for a more powerful Swift.

Competitors: Hyundai Elite i20, VW Polo, Honda Jazz, Tata Bolt, Honda Jazz

Expected Price: INR 4.5 - 7 lakhs, ex-showroom

Launch Date: Year end.