Maruti begins accepting bookings for new Dzire

While the new Swift is still some time away, (it will be unveiled at the Auto Expo next year) the all-new Dzire will arrive in India in the months to come. The third-gen car is styled significantly differently from the current model, both inside and out, and there’s more equipment on offer too. Maruti dealers have started accepting bookings officially for the new sedan and the car is slated to launch on May 16. So what makes it worth waiting for?

Shares bits of exterior styling with the upcoming 2018 Swift

The new Dzire will share common styling elements with the Swift, but there will be notable differences, so that the cars maintain their own identities. The bonnet, headlamps and front fenders appear common among the two cars, though the bumper is quite different from the new Swift revealed globally. The grille is huge and will be laden with chrome bits, while the sedan features a much better integrated boot.

Gets an upmarket interior
The cabin too shares common elements with the upcoming Swift hatch, such as the dashboard and seats, though you will see differences across the centre console and instrument cluster, this car’s focus is to feel premium. The dash, though similar to the one in the new Swift, doesn’t follow the same circular theme. There’s a new centre console, with new wedge-shaped air-con vents, new air-con controls and a more rectangular instrument cluster. Like the earlier car, this one features a dual-tone interior, along with faux-wood inserts across the cabin to lend a more premium air to the sedan.

Will offer a fair bit of equipment
This car comes loaded with tech. Variants will now offer rear air-con vents, Maruti’s Smart Play infotainment system with smartphone integration, LED daytime running lamps, LED projector headlamps, auto climate control and key-less entry and go.

Engines carried forward - AMT now available in petrol too
The new Dzire continues with the same engines as the current model. The 1.2-litre K-series petrol motor and the venerable 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine will continue. Both units are paired with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard with the option of an AMT gearbox.