Review: 2017 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZDi+
30 December 2017, Neil Parkhi
Introduction
The Suzuki Ertiga is a 7-seat mini MPV developed by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki and its Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki, built on the Suzuki Swift platform. It was launched on April 2012 in India and in Indonesia and July 2014 in the Philippines. Maruti Suzuki proclaims it to be the first LUV (Life Utility Vehicle). It competes with the Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Tata Sumo Grande, Toyota Avanza, Honda Mobilio, Renault Lodgy and Nissan Grand Livina. This car is powered by K-series 1.4 litre petrol engine. A diesel version of this car is powered by Fiat's 1.3 litre Multijet engine. The car is based on extended Suzuki Swift platform. This means that the Ertiga is a monocoque MPV; the first in India. It is also considered to be a cross between a saloon/hatchback and an MPV. The Ertiga is said to be the production version of the R-III (R3) concept showcased by MSIL at the Indian Automobile Exposition 2010. Moreover, the name Ertiga is said be an adaptation of R-Tiga where "Tiga" means "three" in Indonesian. The "R" stands for Rows. Therefore, "Ertiga" is derived from "R3" which in turn means "Swift with Three Rows”. According to Maruti Suzuki, the Indian Ertiga was designed specifically for Indian consumers, unlike the other Maruti models which were designed for the global market. Maruti has marketed it as a "Life Utility Vehicle". 11,000 of these vehicles were ordered in India within five days. In India, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV is available in both the alternatives of diesel and petrol variants. Though both of these engines were also seen doing duties earlier in various models, but this time they are tweaked and retuned to get more out of them, as now they need to bear more burden due to its stretched platform and provide its consumers with some fitting performance figures. The petrol-run 1.4L power train is K14B; the advanced K-series motor with variable valve timing (VVT) that weights light resulting in better mileage figures. In June 2013, Maruti Suzuki added its Ertiga models with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The Ertiga LXi and VXi have original factory converter kit and are provided with i-GPI (intelligent Gas Port Injection) which Maruti Suzuki claimed will achieve 22.8 kilometers of one-liter-premium-equivalent. Previously Maruti Suzuki has CNG models for Alto, Wagon R, Eeco, SX4 and Estilo. Pricing starts at 624,000 Indian Rupees or 9750 US Dollars for petrol models, and 810,000 Indian Rupees or 12,650 US Dollars for diesel ones.
Specifications
| Steering and Transmission | |
|---|---|
| Steering Type | Electric Assist, Rack and Pinion Power Steering |
| Transmission Type | 5 Speed Manual |
| Wheels and Tires | |
| Front Wheel Type | 15 inch 5 twin spoke alloy wheels |
| Rear Wheel Type | 15 inch 5 twin spoke alloy wheels |
| Front Tire Type | 185/65R15 |
| Rear Tire Type | 185/65R15 |
| Front Brake Type | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | Drum |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension Type | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension Type | Torsion Beam |
| Suspension Features | Stabilizer Bars, Coil Springs, Gas Pressurized Shock Absorbers |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (in, mm) | 169.1in, 4296mm |
| Width (in, mm) | 66.7in, 1695mm |
| Height (in, mm) | 66.3in, 1685mm/td> |
| Wheelbase (in, mm) | 107.9in, 2740mm |
| Weight (lb, kg) | 2789lb, 1265kg |
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine Type | 1.3 litre 16 valve DDiS diesel inline 4 cylinder |
| Power (bhp, PS, kW) | 89bhp, 90PS, 66kW @ 4000RPM |
| Torque (lb-ft, Nm) | 148lb-ft, 200Nm @ 1750RPM |
| 0-60 mph (0-97 kmph) | 12.9 seconds |
| Top Speed (mph, kmph) | 100 mph, 160 kmph |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Tank Size (gal, L) | 11.9 gallons, 45L |
| Fuel Type (AKI, RON) | B20 Diesel |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 35mpg, 15kmpL |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 58mpg, 25kmpL |
| Cargo Specifications | |
| Cargo Space (ft3, L) | 4.8ft3, 135L |
| Max. Cargo Space (ft3, L) | 4.8ft3, 135L |