The launch of Maruti Swift marked the beginning of a new era every time, but now it doesn’t feel so!
As the company has kept that same design over a long time with nothing exceptionally changed to make heads turn, the new Swift which is just launched, too lack certain examples that its rivals have honed a way back making this automaker shrink its forehead every time it comes out with a new avatar of the flagship hatchback. This time, the daytime running lights which are available on international models, isn’t made available in India as of now. Doing a full review against the competitors like Volkswagen Polo facelift and Hyundai i20 Elite of the new-gen, following are the facts that have oozed out, which aren’t stirring enough to shake a juicy write-up for the said. As the new car is just a facelift with minute nip and tucks done, no dimensional change, it’s obvious for the Swift not to play a leading game this time. Read on to discover more.
Dimension
It’s unusual for us to start with the dimensions first, but it’s an easy route to take on the comparison further which on the technical side is jumbled up with new engine options of rivals. So, on this note, firstly at the wheelbase, second generation i20 Elite takes the cake away measuring 2570mm, followed by Volkswagen Polo facelift at 2469mm, whereas Swift is on the last spot here with the shortest of all – 2430mm wheelbase.
In terms of length, Elite i20 bags podium position with 3985mm, leaving behind the Polo facelift at 3971mm and Swift at 3850mm.
Even on the width, Elite i20 walked out with massive appearance at 1734mm, Swift for the second spot at 1695mm, and lastly the VW polo facelift at 1682mm
The height is an only stand where Maruti’s offering made the rest feel shorter at 1530mm, Elite measuring second to it at 1505mm, and Polo facelift at last with 1469mm.
Engine
Under the bonnet, there isn’t a much different story to say for the Swift. The existed yet updated 1197cc 4-cylinder petrol engine of 83bhp (instead of 86bhp) makes its way with 114Nm of torque instead of 115Nm. Fiat’s 1.3L diesel Multi jet diesel engine pass on max power of 74bhp and 190Nm as before, but friction level is enhanced this time.
In line to the Swift facelift, Hyundai’s case is similar to the saying: Old wine in a new bottle. It dwelled the new avatar, but carried those same engine options under the hoods. The 1.2-litre petrol of 82bhp and 115Nm for petrol, and diesel trims stores a 1396cc, 4-cylinder of 89bhp and 220Nm.
Polo with a facelift not only changed over cosmetics, but Germans went revolutionary for the new face and logged a spanking 1498cc, 4-cylinder diesel with 89bhp and 230Nm. The petrol on other side remains constant with 1198cc, 3-cylinder delivering 73bhp and 110Nm.
Overview
In the tug of war over petrol trims, Hyundai Elite i20 and new Maruti Swift managed to score distinction with 4-cyliunder motor, where VW is left behind in trail of both horsepower (lesser by 10bhp) as well as number of cylinders offered – 3.
The grass on diesel side of guise said, Volkswagen with the biggest engine produces similar horsepower to Hyundai which is smaller by 100cc. Maruti is the smallest and powers 15bhp lesser than both of them.
Yet on the dimension, Maruti fails to entice up its image despite being a late entrant in the market. Narrowest and with the shortest wheelbase it doesn’t comes generous in offering space, except the headroom worked with a good height.
Looking at the overall data, new Swift doesn’t seems making sense on the purchase list, exceptional that it suits the pocket size which is believed of possessing a not so wide gap against the rivals.
