Auto India, Car India

The Car

The largest Indian car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki launched the much awaited Maruti Ritz in New Delhi on May 15, 2009 in both petrol and diesel options. Actually, the name of this global hatchback had been decided to be Splash; but had to be changed later on account of some registration problems.

Maruti Ritz has is the fifth global launch of the company with Swift, Grand Vitara, SX4 and A-Star being the first four members. Ritz is based on an altogether new platform; however the production version of the car resembles to some extent with Swift and SX4 and is interspersed with a C-pillar design. The car has been positioned at the premium end of the Indian compact car market. Maruti Suzuki launched Ritz in five variants; out of which three variants, LXi, VXi and ZXi come with a petrol engine and two, LDi and VDi come with the diesel one.

Maruti Suzuki has brought EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) to India with Ritz. This is something which is found in plenty in the European countries. Ritz is also ELV compliant i.e. ecologically harmful substances like cadmium, chromium and mercury have not been used in the manufacture of Ritz. ELV (End of Life Vehicle) is a concept which has been accepted in Europe and ELV norms ensure the recyclability of material used in the vehicle.

Drive-by-wire technology, too, has been introduced in Ritz in all its variants. This technology and the 32-bit Engine Management system boosts up the car to have faster signal processing and quick response. High grade plastic parts have been extensively used in Ritz to make the all-aluminium engine more fuel efficient and lighter.

Maruti Ritz ZXi is the top most model of petrol version of the popular Ritz range. The model comes fully loaded with special features like radio + CD with speakers, seat height adjuster, tilt steering, parcel tray, cigar lighter, steering wheel mounted audio controls, front ELR seat belt with pretensioner and dual air bags.

Exteriors

The car engineers of Maruti Suzuki working in concert with Japanese counterparts have taken relentless efforts to make Ritz a sheer beauty. Maruti Udyog Limited is determined to make Ritz get a respectable position in the reputed A-2 hatchback space.

Unlike the traditional hatchbacks, Maruti Ritz ZXi has got a thicker C-pillar in the rear part and you also find a smaller quarter glass which is quite like Swift. The overall width of Ritz is 1.68 meters and thus it becomes 8cm wider than Wagon R+. Smartly shaped headlights give the car a trendy and sporty look. The headlights are ingeniously integrated with a trapezoidal grille which gives Ritz a new face and an identity.

The prestigious Suzuki brand gets a place in the center of the front grille and the whole front end has got some fine energy absorbing structures for the safety of pedestrians. The car is streamlined and not a boxy model.

The roof line of Ritz ZXi flows in an arc and combines itself with the vertical rear window which brings in the assurance of lively movement with stability at high speed. The crease lines on the sides offer a unique and trendy look to the make. Here are a few prominent exterior features of the all new Ritz VXi.

• Body colored bumpers
• Powerful headlamps
• Adjustable ORVMs
• Boomerang tail lamps
• Fog lights- front and rear
• Manually adjustable exterior rear view mirror
• Electric Folding Rear View Mirror
• Rain Sensing Wiper
• Rear Window Wiper
• Rear Window Washer
• Rear Window Defogger
• Alloy Wheels
• Tinted Glass

Interiors

The interior roominess, functionality and configurability of the Maruti Ritz is just uncompromising. Ritz VXi is a hatchback model with stunning, unparalleled and dynamic interior looks. The roomy and spacious interiors of the car are a major turn on.

I found the headroom of the car pretty good. The rear seat is a bit higher than the front seats and this provides a good view out to all the passengers traveling in Ritz. This is a proper four seater and you find it spacious enough for five at a squeeze. You can see plenty of storage space which includes a flip lid box on the top of the dashboard, a tray in front of the front passenger and a fair glove box.

As regards the boot space of Ritz, it looks small, especially front to rear; but you find a big hidden compartment under the false floor. The rear seats can be folded down easily as the cushion cranks forward which makes enough space for the descending backrest. Ritz is a fine blend of Swift’s sportiness and the advanced technology of the Japanese global car giant in the mini car segment.

The colored surfaces of the dashboard give Ritz a youthful interior look. All in all, the excellent quality of the material and the metallic silver border on the center console give you a fresh ambience which adds to the pleasure of driving.

Comfort and Convenience

Ritz ZXi is loaded with quite a few comfort and luxury features. Here follows the list of some of the most important ones which make Ritz special.

• Power Steering
• Power Windows-Front
• Power Windows-Rear
• Remote Trunk Opener
• Remote Fuel Lid Opener
• Low Fuel Warning Light
• Accessory Power Outlet
• Vanity Mirror
• Rear Seat Headrest
• Front Cup Holders
• Height Adjustable Front Seat Belts
• Multi-function Steering Wheel

Performance

Maruti Ritz ZXI comes with a 1.2L, 1197cc, 4 Cylinder, 85 PS, 113 Nm, K Series Petrol engine which can churn out the maximum power of 85 PS @ 6000 rpm with the maximum torque of 113 Nm @ 4,500 rpm. There are four valves per cylinder inside. The car can attain the maximum speed of 164 kmph and gives the average of 14kmpl in the cities and 18 kmpl on highways. The car complies with all the BS IV emission norms.

Overview

All in all the Maruti Ritz ZXi is a good deal indeed. The elegant model available in eight beautiful color shades like Fire Brick Red, Bakers Chocolate, Silky Silver, Glistening Grey, Superior White, Racing Green, Blue Glaze and Midnight Black and so you have a got a wide option to choose from! Regal exteriors, royal interiors and awesome engine performance make Ritz steal the thunder!

Lack of adjustable steering column and that of DVD player and audio system remote control inside can be called major flaws. The New Delhi Ex Showroom price of the make is Rs. 4,96,972 and if we look at the things that have been provided here, you we must say, Ritz ZXi is a good value for your money.

Technical Specifications of Maruti Ritz ZXi

Maruti Ritz ZXi Engine

Engine Type KB Series
Engine Description - 1.2L, 1197cc, 4 Cylinder, 85 PS, 113 Nm, K Series Petrol Engine
Engine Displacement (cc) - 1197
No. of Cylinders - 4
Maximum Power - 85 PS @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque - 113 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Valves per Cylinder - 4
Fuel Supply System - MPFI
Turbo Charger - No
Super Charger - No

Maruti Ritz ZXi Transmission

Transmission Type - Manual
Gear box - 5-Speed

Maruti Ritz ZXi Suspension System

Front Suspension - McPherson strut with coil spring
Rear Suspension - Torsion beam & coil spring

Maruti Ritz ZXi Steering

Steering Type - Power
Turning Radius (wheel base) - 4.7 m

Maruti Ritz ZXi Brake System

Front Brake Type - Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type - Drum

Maruti Ritz ZXi Performance

Top Speed - 164 kmph
Acceleration (0-100 kmph) - 13.7

Maruti Ritz ZXi Fuel

Mileage-City (kmpl) - 14.5
Mileage-Highway (kmpl) - 18.0
Fuel Type - Petrol
Fuel Tank Capacity (liters) - 45
Emission Norm Compliance - Bharat Stage IV

Maruti Ritz ZXi Tyres

Tyre Size - 185 /70 R 14
Wheel Size - 14 Inch

Maruti Ritz ZXi Other Specifications

Seating Capacity - 5
No of Doors - 4

General Maruti Ritz ZXi Car Details

Country of Assembly - India
Country of Manufacture - India