Long Term Report 1

Pros: Design, quality, dynamics

Cons: Clattery diesel, slow gear shifts

We quite liked the latest generation Maruti Suzuki Swift when we first drove it. You can read about it HERE.

That one was a petrol model. And, it had a manual gearbox. Both of which, by the way, made it a driver’s delight. Sure, it wasn’t blisteringly fast, but the driver connect, the engine response and the way it handled, just make it a very likeable car.

The car you see here might wear the same red hue, but look closer and you will find it has a different set of alloy wheels. And that’s because unlike the petrol manual we drove which was the top-of-the-line ZXI+ trim; our long-term diesel automatic is just a ZXI. Now, don’t beat yourself up if you couldn’t figure that out because as with many luxury car owners in Germany, Maruti has decided to do away with trim badging on the new Swift.

As for our long-term car, it runs the tried and tested, and clattery 1.3-litre diesel from Fiat. It makes 74bhp and 190Nm of torque. So, it’s not the most powerful engine in its class. Or, the most refined. Or, one with the most linear power delivery. But, it is known to be extremely fuel-efficient; one can’t get an ARAI figure of 28.4kmpl just like that!

The rest of the car – the mechanicals, the cabin, the quality and the overall look and feel – is similar to the petrol. But, how similar? And, will it be as much fun? Will it also be easier to live with? Or, will the AMT play spoilsport and make our long term experience a chore?

All this and more in the next installation of the Maruti Suzuki Swift diesel AMT Long Term review. Stay tuned.

Vehicle Log

Odo – 2,753km

Km this month – 1,128km

Fuel – 63.7 litres

Fuel Efficiency – 17.7kmpl

Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi