Maruti SX4 facelift owes a little something to its Chinese cousin; Launch in Jan 2013?

The Maruti SX4 will receive an impromptu facelift which is expected to hit the market in January 2013, according to a report on Economic Times.

[The front is almost completely passed on from the Chinese SX4 that debuted in December 2010 at the Guangzhou Auto Show]

We brought you the spy shots of the test mule few days ago which shows that changes are inspired by the updated Suzuki SX4 from China. Apart form a chrome garnished front grill and a redesigned bumper, there is nothing to set it apart form the current SX4 but Maruti believes that the refresh will enable the mid-size sedan to limp home before the next generation car based on the S Cross concept arrives.

On the inside, the dashboard has reportedly undergone a mild revision and a new music player is expected to be offered.

[The rear shows far fewer resemblances to the Chinese market model]

The SX4 is the only case of a diesel Maruti not topping charts that too when it employs the very same engine which powers the super successful fantastic four - Swift, Dzire, Ertiga and the Ritz. The SX4 sales dipped by a shocking 64% in the April to November period with only 4,248 cars were sold, compared to 11,662 units during the same period last year.

Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director of MSIL said: "We are looking for options to revive the SX4 sales. It is facing huge difficulty, as the market conditions are not conducive for bigger cars. We have been pushing the car aggressively and some changes would soon be incorporated to make it an attractive preposition for the local market"

[The Chinese market car had cosmetic and technical changes to the entertainment system]

Economic Times reports that according to the component suppliers of Maruti Suzuki, the SX4 is expected to be launched sometime next month.

[Source: Economictimes.Indiatimes.com; Images of the Suzuki SX4 for China from Autohome.com.cn]