The Maruti Wagon-R StingRay is as much about style as it is about practicality. It’s Maruti’s answer to those who found the boxy, plain-Jane Wagon-R too boring. It’s the kind of car that would appeal to a buyer who wants practicality, but doesn’t want to seem uncool among his peers.
The car is mechanically identical to the regular Maruti Wagon-R, but costs about Rs. 25,000 more variant for variant, just for the cosmetic changes. The front-end styling does work well for it, because to the uninitiated, it does look like a new car when viewed up front.
We took a short drive with a deep blue Maruti StingRay VXI to see what the fuss was all about.
The front bumper and grille are different too keeping with the package, while the bonnet is flatter as well. In profile, the only difference you see is again the corners of the front-end, otherwise it’s identical to the regular Wagon-R. The 14-inch alloy wheels do add some freshness and have the standard 155/65 R14 tyres of the Wagon-R on them. At the rear, the tail-lamps have been given a clear-lens treatment along with a chrome look and the applique over the number plate also has “StingRay Wagon-R” emblazoned on it.
There are numerous cubby holes for storage including door pockets, two pop-out drinks holders in front of the AC vents (to keep it cool) and two more on the floor console. The car is pretty spacious for four adults – with adequate kneeroom and headroom, while a fifth passenger would be a tight squeeze. It gets adjustable headrests on all four seats. There are two glove boxes for storage as well as a tray under the passenger seat.
The multi-information display below the speedometer and tachometer includes the fuel gauge, odometer, trip meter, range and average fuel consumption.
The car has gearing that’s well suited to city driving and it can effortlessly glide through traffic. Gear shifts are a bit notchy, but the clutch is super light. The electronic power steering too is very responsive and does give a bit of a disconnected feel, with hardly any feedback coming to the driver. That’s not something everyone likes, although it makes the car really convenient to drive.
The car comes with ABS brakes, which inspire a sense of confidence. Body roll is not too evident, but pushing to car to higher speeds is asking for trouble because of its high centre of gravity.
Technical Specifications
More Photos:
The car is mechanically identical to the regular Maruti Wagon-R, but costs about Rs. 25,000 more variant for variant, just for the cosmetic changes. The front-end styling does work well for it, because to the uninitiated, it does look like a new car when viewed up front.
We took a short drive with a deep blue Maruti StingRay VXI to see what the fuss was all about.
Design & styling: Adding a youthful look
Straight up front, the Maruti Wagon-R StingRay looks like someone shrunk a Tata Safari Storme or perhaps blew up a Mahindra e2o. What catches the eye is the twin beam headlamps with projectors for the low beam (the cheapest car to get projector headlamps in India), and the squared off boxy front styling. The chrome grille (which is actually not a grille, but a plastic moulding) adds that pseudo SUV look to it. And Maruti has even put a string of LED lights in the grille, to give it a little more oomph.The front bumper and grille are different too keeping with the package, while the bonnet is flatter as well. In profile, the only difference you see is again the corners of the front-end, otherwise it’s identical to the regular Wagon-R. The 14-inch alloy wheels do add some freshness and have the standard 155/65 R14 tyres of the Wagon-R on them. At the rear, the tail-lamps have been given a clear-lens treatment along with a chrome look and the applique over the number plate also has “StingRay Wagon-R” emblazoned on it.
Functional interiors
The interiors are all done up in black, which does take away a bit of the spacious feel the grey interiors of the Wagon-R give, but it also adds a bit more of a premium feel to it. Fit and finish is pretty average though. The car comes with comfortable front seats done up in a premium upholstery with “StingRay” embroidered into it. At the rear, it gets 60:40 split folding back rests, which add a degree of versatility in expanding the 180-litre boot’s capacity. It also has a parcel tray as standard.There are numerous cubby holes for storage including door pockets, two pop-out drinks holders in front of the AC vents (to keep it cool) and two more on the floor console. The car is pretty spacious for four adults – with adequate kneeroom and headroom, while a fifth passenger would be a tight squeeze. It gets adjustable headrests on all four seats. There are two glove boxes for storage as well as a tray under the passenger seat.
Decently equipped
The StingRay VXI option pack we were driving comes with a single driver’s air bag and three-channel ABS with EBD. It also features powered outside mirrors, power windows with driver’s side auto-down and central locking with the remote embedded on the key. The integrated music system can play CD, MP3, USB and Aux-in, along with radio. The car features steering audio controls as well. Other features include fog lamps, a rear wiper and demister and speed-sensitive door locking.The multi-information display below the speedometer and tachometer includes the fuel gauge, odometer, trip meter, range and average fuel consumption.
Performance and handling
The Maruti Wagon-R StingRay is not really a car that will appeal to enthusiasts, but it does have enough shove to get by in the city quite easily. It is powered by Maruti’s tried-and-tested 1-litre, 3 cylinder K-Series petrol engine that puts out 67 bhp of power and 90 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. This engine is pretty refined and loves to be revved.The car has gearing that’s well suited to city driving and it can effortlessly glide through traffic. Gear shifts are a bit notchy, but the clutch is super light. The electronic power steering too is very responsive and does give a bit of a disconnected feel, with hardly any feedback coming to the driver. That’s not something everyone likes, although it makes the car really convenient to drive.
The car comes with ABS brakes, which inspire a sense of confidence. Body roll is not too evident, but pushing to car to higher speeds is asking for trouble because of its high centre of gravity.
Fuel efficiency
We didn’t have the car long enough to get an exact measure of fuel efficiency, but the display did show we were getting about 13.8 kmpl in city driving conditions with moderate use of the AC. We were doing only short runs and stopping for photo shoots and video filming, but with sustained use a figure of 14 kmpl for city conditions should be easily achievable. Maruti claims this car gives 20.5 kmpl.What we think
The StingRay injects a dose of freshness into what is otherwise a boring, boxy family hatchback that’s also incredibly practical. Whether the Rs. 25,000 premium you pay for the StingRay is really worth the difference is debatable. We think it’s worth the money if you want the car to stand out. But otherwise, you would be better off with the regular Wagon-R, except that you would miss out on the convenient steering audio controls, and perhaps slightly better headlight throw – otherwise, there’s not much to lose.Technical Specifications
| Specifications | Maruti Wagon-R StingRay (O) |
|---|---|
| Price | Rs. 4.66 lakh |
| Engine | Petrol, 3-cylinder, K10B |
| Capacity | 998 cc |
| Power | 67 bhp @ 6200 rpm |
| Torque | 90 Nm @ 3500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual, FWD |
| Fuel consumption | 20.5 kmpl |
| Brakes front | Disc |
| Brakes rear | Drum |
| Suspension front | McPherson Strut |
| Suspension rear | Trailing arm |
| Tyre size | 155/65 R14 |
| Length | 3636 mm |
| Width | 1475 mm |
| Height | 1670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 35 litres |
| Boot space | 180 litres |
| FEATURES | |
| Airconditioning | Manual HVAC |
| Outside mirrors | Electrically adjustable |
| Central locking | Remote |
| Steering | Electric power steering |
| Height adjustable driver's seat | No |
| Power windows | four with driver's autodown |
| Fog lamps | Front |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Music system | Radio/CD/MP3/USB/Aux-in |
| Speakers | Four |
| Steering audio controls | Yes |
| Tachometer | Yes |
| MID | Yes |
| Parking sensors | No |
| Airbags | One |
| ABS | Yes |
More Photos:
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Suzuki Splash is quite popular and hottest car brand in Pakistan.
ReplyDeleteSuzuki Splash comes with 86 horsepower engine @ 5500 RPM with a 993 cc displacement and an inline cylinder configuration