Opening
2012 Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire : First Impression
Swift, Maruti Suzuki’s success symbol went through a serious transformation recently. The transformation revised not just its exterior appearance but the interiors too. As for the powertrain, it has been retained from its predecessor.
Since Swift went through a renovation, it was obvious that its extended version, the Swift DZire, would not be spared either. There were varied expectations regarding the changes the new 2012 Swift DZire would incorporate.
Spy pics, renderings and discussions in forums made sure that the 2012 Maruti Suzuki Dzire would be more than just an exterior-interior treatment. The “compactness” of the new Dzire was revealed.
Answering it all, Maruti Suzuki finally revealed the 2012 version of its already well selling DZire. The new design was a complete shocker but in a pleasant way. We carry out our First impression report on the 2012 Maruti Suzuki DZire.
Appearance Exterior
The new 2012 Swift Dzire has gone through lots of noticeable transformation in the exteriors department. The long slung looks of the earlier versions has been shed off and replaced for a more compact and smart profile.
Front facia now has a sleeker bonnet, which helps in a dynamic look. The height of the new gen model has been reduced. With the swept back headlamps, the overall front profile looks wider.
Being compact in overall size, the new Dzire has a longer wheelbase.
The headlights and the tail-lamps now get clear lens. Headlight stretches to the shoulder line of the side profile.
All the three variants come with body coloured bumpers, however the body coloured door handles are found in the 2 top end variants.
Similarly, ORVMs fitted on the V and Z-series variants can be electrically internally adjusted, while the standard version has manual adjustment settings. The ORVM with turn indicators embedded on them feature on the V and Z series along with fog lamps.
165/80 R14 tyres are used for the starting 2 variants and the top end variant gets 185/65 R14. All variants run on tubeless tyres with the top end equipped with alloy wheels.
Appearance Interior
Exteriors has been matched well with a redesigned interiors too. Maruti Suzuki cars, no matter which segment, always have been successful in understanding and delivering user happy interiors.
So the new 2012 Swift DZire maintains the same with a 3-spoke sporty steering wheel and day-night internal rear view mirrors among many other features.
The top end version comes with silver accents on the steering wheel. The steering gives a very sporty feel to the car. Power Steering is a standard in all the variants. The steering is tilt adjustable too. The top end variant also has steering mounted controls on it.
The VXi/VDi variants feature power windows for front and rear doors, central door locking with child door locks for rear doors, Keyless entry features. In the ZXi/ZDi additional features like electromagnetic back door opener, rear window defogger, rear wiper+ washer, driver seat height adjuster, and automatic climate control are also available.
Some of the other commendable ones include high volume glove box, Parcel shelf, folding assistant grip, sun visor, ticket holder on driver side, roof lamp, chrome door handles etc.
The instrumental Cluster displays features like the instantaneous fuel consumption and distance to empty. These features have now started featuring in every car and it’s nice to know that Maruti Suzuki is keeping updated with the times.
Audio system is available in only ZXi/ZDi variants. It features a radio and CD player with a high end 4 speakers-2 tweeters output arrangement. Intelligent speed based audio control; auxiliary input and USB socket are some of the good additions. The only errant is the missing Bluetooth.
Safety features like ABS with EBD and Dual airbags (driver+ co driver) is available in ZXi/ZDi variants.
Performance Drive
The 2012 Swift Dzire comes with a 4 cylinder 1197cc petrol and a 1248cc diesel unit respectively. The Petrol unit peaks a power of 87PS at 6000 rpm, while the diesel unit produces 75PS at 4000 rpm.
The torque figures for petrol and diesel are 114 Nm at 4000 rpm and 190Nm at 2000 rpm respectively. Both the cars come with a 5-speed transmission.Variants listing remain same as earlier except for a 4-speed automatic version which has been added in the mid level listing. Maruti Suzuki claims fuel efficiency figures of 19.1kmpl for petrol and 23.4 kmpl for diesel.Pacific Blue,Glistening grey, Arctic white, Clear Beige, Bright Red,Midnight Black,Silky silver are the color shades available for the 2012 Swift Dzire.
We were really curious on how the new Dzire would fair in driving comfort compared to its earlier version. The exteriors and interiors had already built the right mood for it. The passengers are welcomed by large wide doors. The long wheelbase also provides good amount of legroom for all rows. Lumbar supported seats give the passenger a well tucked feeling inside the car along with the integrated head rests.
The 2012 Dzire is a Maruti product, so dare it be not refined. Crank it up and the smooth diesel engine gets into action. We had the VDi variant for our review drive.The new Dzire feels of a more confident drive. This can be attributed to the compact design of the car. Ride height has been kept at 170mm, which helps maneuver the big redundant road humps.
With a turning radius of 4.8m aided with a Electronic power steering, one can draw the car out of any tight corner or locked parking spaces. The driving factor of this is more of a hatchback than a sedan.
The gearbox remains smooth, sans any extra effort to shift it. The Air-Conditioning continues to be a strong factor and doesn’t take ages to chill the entire cabin.
Braking of the new car remains effective and reminds you of the effectiveness of the earlier version.
Tech Specs
| Technical Specifications | ||
| Make | Maruti Suzuki | |
| Model | Swift Dzire | |
| Variant | 1.2L New K12 engine | 1.3L DDiS |
| Enine capacity | 1197 | 1248/4 |
| Power in BHP | 87/6000 | 75/4000 |
| Torque in NM | 114/4000 | 190/2000 |
| Transmisson | Manual 5 speed, 4speed AT | Manual 5 speed |
| Dimesions in mm | ||
| Length | 3995 | 3995 |
| Width | 1695 | 1695 |
| Boot space | 316 | 316 |
| Wheel base | 2430 | 2430 |
| Height | 1555 | 1555 |
| Ground clearence | 170 | 170 |
| Tyre rating | 165/80 R14 | 165/80 R14 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 42 | 42 |
| Average Mileage in KMPL | 19.1, AT version 17.4 | 23.4 |
| Gross Vehicle weight | 1415 | 1505 |
Features
| Features | Lxi/Ldi | Vxi/Vdi/ Vxi AT | Zxi/Zdi |
| Electronic Power steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable steering | No | No | Yes |
| Driver seat height adjust | No | No | Yes |
| Front Power windows | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Power windows | No | No | Yes |
| Central locking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Airconditoning | Yes | Yes | No |
| Automatic Climate control | No | No | Yes |
| Integrated audio system | No | Yes | Yes |
| Steering mounted audio controls | No | No | Yes |
| Rear seat center arm rest | No | Yes | Yes |
| Body coloured door mirrors | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rear window demister | No | No | Yes |
| Rear defogger | No | No | Yes |
| Front Fog lamps | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Fog lamps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Key less entry | No | Yes | Yes |
| i-Cats(immobiliser) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tubeless tyres | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steel wheels | Yes | Yes | No |
| Alloy wheels | No | No | Yes |
| Dual airbag | No | No | Yes |
| ABS with EBD | No | No | Yes |
Competition All Specs
| Specifications |
Maruti Suzuki
Swift Dzire |
Mahindra
Verito |
Toyota
Etios |
Ford
Fiesta |
Chevrolet
Aveo |
| Variant | Zxi | 1.4 G4(Petrol) | VX | Sxi with ABS | Aveo |
| Enine capacity | 1197 | 1390 | 1496 | 1596 | 1399 |
| Power in BHP | 87/ 6000 | 75@ 5500 RPM | 90 | 101 PS @6500 RPM | 94 |
| Torque in NM | 114/ 4000 | 110@ 3000 RPM | 132@ 3000 RPM | 146@ 3400 RPM | 127@ 3500RPM |
| GearBox | Manual 5 speed | Manual 5 speed | Manual 5 Speed | Manual 5 Speed | Manual 5 Speed |
| Deimesions | |||||
| Length | 3995 | 4247 | 4265 | 4286 | 4310 |
| Width | 1695 | 1740 | 1695 | 1686 | 1710 |
| Boot space | 316 | 510 | 595 | 430 | 400 |
| Wheel base | 2430 | 2630 | 2550 | 2486 | 2480 |
| Height | 1555 | 1534 | 1510 | 1468 | 1505 |
| Ground clearence | 170 | 172 | 170 | 168 | 181 |
| Tyre rating | 185/70 R14 | 185/70 R14 | 185/60 R15 | 175/65 R14 | 185/60 R14 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 42 | 50 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Driverside Airbag | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Co driver side airbag | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| ABS+EBD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kerb Weight | 1035 | 1080 | 930 | 1130 | 1095 |
| Average Mileage | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Ex Show room price | 646759 | 519433 | 700242 | 788299 | 699102 |
Conclusion
The Swift DZire has always been Maruti’s well appreciated product. The 2012 Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire comes with lots of changes, which were very appropriate. Maruti saved the car from being dated and boring and converted into something more desirable and exciting.
New Swift DZire has already been very warmly welcomed by all the enthusiasts. The launch has been concluded by a good numbers turning up at the dealership.
Maruti Suzuki doesn’t suffer from any issues with the product quality. It has the best and biggest dealership and servicing chain across the country. However, the main thing that pulls Maruti down is the waiting period. Long waiting periods have plagued Maruti Suzuki intensely.
The competition is trying to take advantage of this by luring the prospective customers with good discounts in addition to quick delivery of the model. Though until recently, Maruti has decided that it will bring down the long waiting periods by building warehouses at various geographical locations.
