New Maruti Ciaz (facelift) to launch in April 2017 - Report

Retail to shift to NEXA dealerships.

According to Autocar India, Maruti Suzuki will introduce a facelift for the Maruti Ciaz in April 2017. The report also goes on to state that the new Ciaz will be sold through the NEXA line of premium dealerships, joining the Maruti S-Cross, Maruti Baleno and the soon-to-launch Maruti Ignis.

The introduction of Ignis and new Ciaz (facelift) will help Maruti push more volumes from the NEXA dealerships, which has so far relied on the Maruti Baleno to lure customers. Of course, NEXA also has the Maruti S-Cross, but sales aren't as strong as Maruti's other products, despite the discounts.

To compete with the next generation Hyundai Verna and Honda City (facelift), which are tipped to arrive in the same year, Maruti may up the ante with new, premium touches, which could explain why Maruti is planning to sell the new Ciaz through NEXA.

The Ciaz diesel is expected to continue offering the 1.3L 4-cyl turbodiesel DDiS engine with SHVS, while the petrol variant is rumored to pack a new naturally aspirated 1.5-litre M15 engine that is expected to output around 100 hp. Like the current Ciaz, it will offer a 5-speed manual or an automatic gearbox (petrol only).

[Source: Autocar India]