Maruti Suzuki launches new Swift at ₹6.49 lakh

India's largest passenger vehicle maker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Thursday launched an upgraded version of its popular premium hatchback Swift with prices starting from ₹6.49 lakh (ex-showroom).

The fourth-generation Swift comes with six airbags as standard across variants. It also comes with an all-new 1.2-litre Z-Series engine, which the carmaker claims makes the new Swift the most fuel-efficient hatchback in its segment.

The new engine from Maruti Suzuki delivers 60 kilowatts of peak power and 111.7 Nm of peak torque. The automaker says the Z-Series engine is suited for Indian driving conditions with low-end torque delivery for better acceleration. The car comes with a claimed fuel efficiency of up to 25.75 kilometres per litre, marking an improvement of 14% over its predecessor.

The car's top variant, ZXI+ Dual Tone automatic, is priced at ₹9.64 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki has sold nearly 3 million units of Swift in the country so far.

The launch comes at a time when sales of compact cars and hatchbacks have seen a decline over the past few years as India's car market shifted to sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

The hatchback segment in India accounts for 28% of total passenger vehicle sales.

“As a market leader, we took the responsibility to re-energise the hatchback segment at a time when this segment really needs a catalyst for growth,” says Hisashi Takeuchi, managing director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki.

“We have a strong belief in India’s growth story. As the government aims to make India a developed country by 2047, we can expect increased economic activity and robust demand for automobiles in the coming years. With only 32 vehicles per 1,000 people compared to over 600 in developed countries like Japan, India presents a vast pool of car aspirants. As car ownership rises, the hatchback segment will serve as an entry point for many customers, and thus shall expand. Therefore, the hatchback segment will continue to remain relevant for India, and our focus on this segment will persist,” says Takeuchi.

Maruti Suzuki has invested ₹1,450 crore to develop this new generation Swift. This includes investment in tools and dies for the vehicle as well as the new Z-Series engine.

The hatch will be manufactured at Suzuki Motor Gujarat, from where the carmaker will serve its customers in India as well as in overseas markets.

“With over 29 lakh customers in India, the Swift brand name holds a special place in the hearts of customers,” says Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India.

The new Swift can also be owned through Maruti Suzuki subscribe scheme at an all-inclusive monthly subscription fee starting from ₹17,436.