Maruti Suzuki India, India’s largest carmaker launched a new generation WagonR on 23rd April, 2010 and its the price is between Rs 3.28 lakh and Rs 3.81 lakh. And so, Maruti Suzuki has added one more model to the highly price competitive compact car segment. After Alto, Maruti Suzuki is recharging the second largest selling model in its stable by introducing an all-new WagonR. Wagon R has been a tried and tested workhorse for Maruti for the last 11 years. This new Maruti WagonR has 998cc petrol K Series engine that pumps about 67Bhp at 6200rpm and 90Nm of torque at 3500rpm.

The features of the car include new KB10 engine, new transmission, new suspension and new platform but it is priced slightly more than the previous WagonR (at introductory rates). The price of the car does expect some cannibalization on the sales of other models that are priced close to WagonR. The source model Lx is available for Rs 3.28 lakh, Lxi for Rs 3.57 lakh and Vxi for Rs 3.81 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new WagonR will take on the likes of newly launched models which include Chevrolet Beat costing Rs 3.41 lakh-Rs 4.43 lakh, Ford Figo costing Rs 3.49 lakh-Rs 3.99 lakh and Hyundai i10 costing Rs 3.47 lakh-Rs 3.83 lakh, among others.

The new WagonR sees a complete redesign stylistically that helps it stand out from the previous version. Also, it is wider and taller than the outgoing version. Extra features of the new WagonR include ABS and airbags in the top end version which certainly is a good thing considering the huge jump in safety these additions bring. The 1 liter K series engine is also E10 (10% ethanol) complaint which makes it environment friendly as well. In the older WagonR, these crucial factors were missing whose engine was strangled by emission concerns and so impacting both drivability and performance adversely.

Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shinzo Nakanishi told reporters, “This new launch of WagonR is important to Maruti Suzuki for many reasons. It demonstrates the growing research and development capability of the company. The new car showcases the advancement it has made in research and development and the ability to adapt from global platforms to Indian conditions," according to MSI.

“The new WagonR is important for Maruti Suzuki for many reasons. It demonstrates the growing research and development capability of the company and gives the customer an all-new, BS IV compliant vehicle” said by Shinzo Nakanishi, MD and CEO.

For designing this car, Rs 290 crore has been invested by Maruti. The existing WagonR which was launched in 1999 and sold a total of 8.8 lakh units will be phased out by following the new launch. Despite increased competition from rivals like Ford, General Motors and Hyundai, MSI is confident that it will be able to maintain the status of the WagonR as the second best-selling model in India after its Alto.

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