News & Top StoriesIn India, Maruti Swift Reachs 30 Lakh Sales Milestone
- Initially introduced in India in 2005, the Swift achieved its first 10-lakh sales milestone in November of 2013.
- The previous 10 lakh sales were accomplished in about six years.
- A new 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder Z series petrol engine with 82 horsepower and 112 Nm powers it.
- offered with a 5-speed AMT or a 5-speed manual transmission.
- Some notable features are the wireless phone charging, automatic air conditioning, and a 9-inch touchscreen.
- Six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and a rear parking camera all contribute to safety.
- Priced currently (ex-showroom) between Rs 6.49 lakh to Rs 9.64 lakh.
One of the best-selling hatchbacks in India, the Maruti Swift, has sold 30 lakh units since its launch. Since its 2005 premiere, Maruti has given the Swift multiple facelifts and generational improvements. The fourth-generation Swift, which has an upgraded gasoline engine, new amenities, and a fresh appearance, was just unveiled in India. The steps Swift took to reach the 30-lakh sales milestone in India are broken per year by year below.
| Sales Milestone | Year |
| Launch | May 2005 |
| 10 lakh | November 2013 |
| 20 lakh | November 2018 |
| 30 lakh | June 2024 |
It took the Swift about 8 years to reach its first sales milestone of 10 lakh units in India. By November 2018, the next 10 lakh sales milestone had been accomplished far more quickly—in just 5 years. Over about six years, the previous 10 lakh sales were accomplished. In addition, the hatchback has sold over 65 lakh units globally, with 30 lakh of those sales occurring in India alone.
The first-generation Swift was priced starting at Rs 3.87 lakh when it was introduced in 2005. It was one of the few hatchbacks available at the time with a decent feature set, attractive styling, and enjoyable to drive. The addition of a 1.3-liter diesel engine to the Swift’s lineup later in 2007 helped boost its popularity. Maruti kept the diesel engine option for the Swift available until 2020, at which point it was removed due to tighter emission regulations. Given that the Swift has been on the market for a long time and is currently among the best-selling cars in the nation, the removal of the diesel engine had little effect on sales figures.
What it Offers
The 2024 Swift from Maruti comes with features such as an automated air conditioning system with rear vents, a 6-speaker music system tuned by Arkamys, and a 9-inch touchscreen. Cruise control and wireless phone charging are also included. Six airbags (as standard), an electronic stability program (ESP), rear parking sensors, and a rear parking camera all ensure passenger safety.
Engine & Transmission
A brand-new 1.2-liter, three-cylinder Z series petrol engine with 82 PS and 112 Nm powers the Maruti Swift of 2024. Either a 5-speed AMT or a 5-speed manual transmission is matched with this unit. The fourth-generation Swift from Maruti does not now come with a CNG drivetrain option, but it may in the future.
Cost Range and Competitors
The current pricing range for the Maruti Swift (ex-showroom Delhi) is Rs 6.49 lakh to Rs 9.64 lakh. It competes with the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and serves as a substitute for the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter.
News & Top StoriesRemoved from the Indian Website: Hyundai Kona Electric
- Hyundai‘s first electric vehicle available in India was the Kona Electric.
- Except for minor revisions, it didn’t receive any significant redesign for the Indian market.
- With a 39.2 kWh battery pack, the Kona Electric was stated to have a 452 km range by ARAI.
- This June 2024, there are discounts of up to Rs 3 lakh on the remaining EV stocks.
The Hyundai Kona Electric has essentially been discontinued as it is no longer listed on the automaker’s Indian website. In 2019, the Korean automaker debuted the Kona EV, its first electric vehicle (EV) in India. Nearing the end of its existence, the Hyundai Kona Electric cost Rs 23.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and was available in a single “Premium” specification.
After going on sale for nearly five years, the Hyundai Kona Electric had not seen any noteworthy changes. It was also one of Hyundai’s slower-selling models recently; for almost a year, the automaker has been offering steep discounts on its backlog of unclaimed inventory.
An Overview of the Hyundai Kona EV
The India-specific front axle of the Hyundai Kona Electric was driven by an electric motor that produced 395 Nm and 136 PS thanks to a 39.2 kWh battery pack. Its 452 km ARAI-rated range was impressive.
It had a sunroof, wireless phone charging, air conditioning with rear vents, heated and ventilated front seats, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, among other things. The safety net included a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), all-wheel disc brakes, and six airbags as standard.
The BYD Atto 3 and the MG ZS EV were its main competitors. In addition, the Hyundai EV offered a high-end substitute for the Mahindra XUV400 and Tata Nexon EV.
Hyundai has not yet stated if it intends to introduce the second-generation Kona Electric to India, even though it is currently available for purchase in other countries. Hyundai India’s line of electric vehicles now just consists of the Ioniq 5, while Kona Electric was terminated.
Hyundai Creta EV
The launch schedule for Hyundai’s future Creta EV was just revealed. This EV is anticipated to be the next locally produced electric vehicle from the Korean automaker in India, with a price tag of about Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). A test mule of the impending Creta EV was previously sighted by us, giving us a glimpse of its overall appearance and inside.
News & Top StoriesThis June, You May Have To Wait Up To Five Months To Bring A Compact Sedan Home
For drivers who value a roomy boot, sophisticated appearance, and plush seats, compact sedans provide the ideal mix of comfort and performance. Thus, you may have to wait up to five months if you were hoping to bring one home this month. The waiting times for small automobiles in the top 20 Indian cities as of June 2024 are described in this article:
| City | Volkswagen Virtus | Honda City | Honda City Hybrid | Hyundai Verna | Skoda Slavia | Maruti Ciaz |
| New Delhi | No Waiting | N.A. | 0.5-1 Month | 2-3 Months | 0.5-1 Month | 1 Month |
| Bangalore | 0.5 Month | 1 Month | 1 Month | 2-3 Months | 1 Month | 1 Week |
| Mumbai | 1 Week | 1 Week | 0.5-1 Month | 2 Months | 1.5-2 Months | 1-1.5 Month |
| Hyderabad | 1.5 Month | 1 Month | 1 Month | 2-3 Months | 1 Month | 1 Month |
| Pune | 1 Month | 0.5-1 Month | 0.5-1 Month | 2-3 Months | 1 Week | 1-1.5 Month |
| Chennai | 1 Month | 1 Month | 1 Month | 2-3 Months | 1-1.5 Month | 1-2 Months |
| Jaipur | No Waiting | No Waiting | No Waiting | 2-3 Months | 1 Month | 1 Month |
| Ahmedabad | 1-1.5 Month | 0.5 Month | 0.5 Month | 2-3 Months | 1 Week | No Waiting |
| Gurugram | 0.5-1 Month | 1 Week | 1 Week | 1.5-2.5 Months | 1-2 Months | 1 Month |
| Lucknow | 0.5-1 Month | 0.5-1 Month | 0.5-1 Month | 2 Months | 2-2.5 Months | 0.5-1 Month |
| Kolkata | 1-2 Months | No Waiting | No Waiting | 1.5-2.5 Months | 1-1.5 Month | 1-1.5 Month |
| Thane | 0.5 Month | 0.5 Month | 0.5 Month | 3 Months | 0.5-1 Month | 1-1.5 Month |
| Surat | No Waiting | No Waiting | 1 Month | 2-3 Months | No Waiting | No Waiting |
| Ghaziabad | No Waiting | 1 Week | 1 Week | 2-3 Months | 1 Month | 1-1.5 Month |
| Chandigarh | 1 Month | 0.5 Month | 0.5 Month | 2-3 Months | 1 Month | 1-1.5 Month |
| Coimbatore | 2 Months | 1 Week | 1 Week | 2-3 Months | 4-5 Months | 1-2 Months |
| Patna | 1 Month | No Waiting | 1 Month | 2 Months | 1 Month | 1 Month |
| Faridabad | 1-2 Months | 0.5 Month | 0.5 Month | 2-3 Months | 1-2 Months | 1-2 Months |
| Indore | 0.5-1 Month | 0.5 Month | 0.5-1 Month | 2-3 Months | 1-2 Months | 1 Month |
| Noida | 0.5-1 Month | 0.5 Month | 0.5-1 Month | 1.5-2.5 Months | 1-1.5 Month | 1 Month |
Important lessons learned:
- While the Volkswagen Virtus is easily accessible in places like New Delhi, Jaipur, Surat, and Ghaziabad, purchasers in Kolkata, Coimbatore, and Faridabad may have to wait up to two months.
- In certain places, such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Noida, it may take up to a month to get the next easily accessible compact sedan, the Honda City (containing both petrol and hybrid versions). Buyers in other cities should anticipate receiving their vehicles in around half a month. It’s interesting to note that while consumers in Surat and Patna can obtain the Honda City gasoline form right away, those who choose the hybrid version may have to wait up to one month in these cities.
- In 14 out of the 20 cities, the Hyundai Verna has the longest waiting period—more than 2.5 months. Depending on the dealership, buyers in Gurugram, Kolkata, and Noida may receive it in 1.5 months.
- Coimbatore residents who want to purchase a Skoda Slavia will have to wait till the end of the year. Aside from this, the Slavia currently has an average 1.5-month wait time. On the other hand, clients in Surat, Ahmedabad, and Pune could have to wait comparatively less for their deliveries.
- In Ahmedabad and Surat, purchasers can drive a new Maruti Ciaz home right away, with an average waiting period of one to one and a half months.
News & Top StoriesIs There Any Chance Of An Automatic Option For The Force Gurkha?
- There are 3-door and 5-door versions of the Force Gurkha, but only with a 5-speed MT.
- Soon, an automatic gearbox option is anticipated; it may cost more than Rs 1 lakh more than the existing manual transmission models.
- A 2.6-liter diesel engine with 140 PS and 320 Nm powers the Gurkha.
- The ex-showroom pricing of the 3-door and 5-door Gurkhas vary from Rs 16.75 lakh to Rs 18 lakh.
There are rumors that the Force Gurkha will soon have an automated gearbox. Since the Gurkha’s 3-door and 5-door models were first released onto the market, Force has only offered a manual shifter for it. It is anticipated that the automatic gearbox models will fetch a price increase of over Rs 1 lakh when compared to their manual counterparts.
With an automatic transmission, it will appeal to more recent owners who want to use the SUV for off-road excursions and still enjoy the convenience of an automated gearbox. For comparison, from their respective market introductions, the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny, two of its closest competitors, have both been available with an automatic transmission.
Gurkha Lineup as of Right Now
The 2.6-liter diesel engine in the Force Gurkha, which comes in 3-door and 5-door models, now produces 140 PS and 320 Nm of power thanks to a recent update. Both of these SUV variants currently come with a 5-speed manual transmission alone.
Nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, manual climate control, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) are included in the feature suite. The driver’s display is seven inches.
Force Gurkha Price and Rivals
The Force Gurkha 3-door is priced at Rs 16.75 lakh, while the 5-door (ex-showroom, nationwide) is priced at Rs 18 lakh.
The Mahindra Thar and the 3-door Force Gurkha are direct competitors in terms of price. Another rival with a 4×4 design and much less pricing is the Maruti Jimny. The 5-door Gurkha does not yet have a direct rival, but when the 5-door Thar is introduced soon, it will.
Nonetheless, tiny SUVs like the Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Citroen C3 Aircross might be taken into consideration if you’re searching for a monocoque SUV at a comparable price. It will also function as an off-road substitute for the Citroen Basalt SUV-coupe and Tata Curvv SUV-coupe.
Do you believe that the Force Gurkha’s automated gearbox will make it a more desirable option? Tell us in this section of the comments below.
News & Top StoriesComparison of the Specifications of the Tata Tiago XM CNG and Maruti Celerio VXi CNG
Both the Tata Tiago and the Maruti Celerio have been available for a while. These cars are often seen in competition on monthly sales charts for hatchbacks. These hatchbacks have comparable cost and feature sets, and they come with a CNG option. To determine which car is ideal for you, we examine the specifications of the two.
Price
| Variant | Maruti Celerio VXi CNG | Tata Tiago XE CNG | Tata Tiago XM CNG |
| Price | Rs 6.74 lakh | Rs 6.60 lakh | Rs 6.95 lakh |
The Tiago XM CNG is the direct competitor of the Celerio Vxi CNG, which is priced somewhat higher, although the base-spec Tiago XE CNG is still the least expensive car in this comparison. The Maruti Celerio VXi CNG variation, the only CNG variant in the Celerio series, costs Rs 14,000 more than the entry-level Tata Tiago XE model. The Tiago also comes in an XM CNG version, which costs Rs 21,000 more than the Celerio CNG.
Dimensions
| Dimensions | Maruti Celerio CNG | Tata Tiago CNG |
| Length | 3695 mm | 3765 mm |
| Width | 1655 mm | 1677 mm |
| Height | 1555 mm | 1535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2435 mm | 2400 mm |
Powertrain
| Powertrain | Maruti Celerio CNG | Tata Tiago CNG |
| Engine | 1-litre three-cylinder engine | 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine |
| Power | 57 PS | 73 PS |
| Torque | 82 Nm | 95 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
| Claimed FE | 35.60 km/kg | 26.49 km/kg |
With an engine that produces 16 PS and 13 PS more than the Celerio CNG, the Tiago CNG boasts a more potent engine. Both cars come with a 5-speed manual transmission in their respective trim levels. On the other hand, the higher trim levels of the Tata Tiago CNG also come with an automatic transmission.
Features
| Features | Maruti Celerio VXi CNG | Tata Tiago XE CNG | Tata Tiago XM CNG |
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With LED turn indicators on the ORVM, the Tata Tiago XM CNG outperforms the other two alternatives in terms of outward appearance, giving it a more upscale look. The Celerio and Tiago have comparable amounts of interior material, although the former has handy features like magazine pockets, a split-folding rear seat, and a rear parcel tray.
In contrast, the Tiago XM CNG boasts an infotainment system with a small display, Bluetooth connectivity, and two speakers—features that the Celerio VXi CNG lacks.
All variants provide manual air conditioning, and the base Tiago CNG is the only one without power windows in terms of comfort. However, the Celerio has a further benefit over the Tiago XM CNG because it includes a one-touch up/down option in the driver’s window. In the Tata Tiago CNG versions, the front headrests are movable, while in the Celerio, they are part of the seat.
Although the safety suites are identical, families traveling with children will feel more secure in the Tiago because it has ISOFIX child seat mounts.
The Tata Tiago CNG outperforms the Maruti Celerio CNG in a few areas, including boot practicality. The Tiago features two CNG tanks that are located beneath the boot floor, providing useful storage space, while the Celerio only has one tank that occupies the most of the 313 liters of cargo capacity that the petrol-powered Celerio is supposed to give.
Verdict
It can be challenging to decide between these two entry-level CNG hatchbacks, but the Tata Tiago XM CNG does provide more for its higher price. It boasts a more potent engine and a feature set with additional standard comfort elements.
In contrast, the engine of the Maruti Celerio VXi CNG is more sophisticated yet produces a lot less power. Notably, the current Celerio portfolio only offers one CNG option. In comparison to the Tiago XM CNG, you may spend the money you save on options like an infotainment system. Additionally, Maruti’s after-sales network enjoys a stronger reputation.
The Tiago XE CNG, which is the least expensive alternative here, has very little to recommend because the extra conveniences of the Celerio Vxi CNG easily outweigh the cost difference.
In conclusion, the Maruti Celerio VXi CNG is not as good value overall as the Tata Tiago XM CNG. Which of the Maruti Celerio VXi and Tata Tiago XM CNG models is your favorite? Leave a comment below to let us know.
News & Top StoriesThe most lucid spy photos to date show the Skoda Sub-4m SUV once more.
- We were able to get a better look at the subcompact SUV‘s tail light cluster in the most recent spy photo.
- Given that the vehicle was observed with steel wheels covered in black, it seems to be a lower-spec version.
- Highlight features can be a sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a 10-inch touchscreen.
- It is expected to be equipped with a rear parking camera, electronic stability control (ESC), and six airbags for safety.
- Most likely to come with a 6-speed MT or 6-speed AT transmission and a 1-liter turbo-petrol engine choice.
- By 2025, it is anticipated to go on sale in India for Rs 8.50 lakh (ex-showroom).
One of the next nameplates the automaker plans to launch in India is the Skoda sub-4m SUV, which is anticipated to happen in 2025. The same MQB-A0-IN platform that powers the Skoda Slavia and Kushaq will serve as its foundation. Here’s what we noticed when we just met the forthcoming subcompact SUV test mule again.
A Lookalike Of Kushaq
According to the most recent spy photos, the subcompact SUV would resemble the current Kushaq SUV in terms of shape and design. Even with its extensive disguise, the test mule’s split headlights and LED DRLs are discernible in these most lucid spy photos to date. The small SUV from Skoda has the same butterfly Skoda grille as the Kushaq.
The subcompact SUV test mule was equipped with steel wheels covered in black wheel covers. We also got a chance to take a close look at the Skoda subcompact SUV’s LED tail lights, which resemble those on the Kushaq.
Cabin & Attributes
We haven’t had a chance to take a look inside the Skoda subcompact SUV, but we think the steering wheel and infotainment system are the same as those of the Kushaq. It is anticipated to be equipped with a sunroof, automated air conditioning, ventilated front seats, a fully digital driver display, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), a 360-degree camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can be included in its safety equipment.
Most Likely To Receive Only One Engine Choice
Only a 1-liter turbo-petrol engine, which is presently available with the Kushaq and Slavia, was allowed for Skoda’s subcompact SUV. With a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission, this engine produces 115 PS and 178 Nm.
Anticipated Cost & Competitors
Early in 2025, the Skoda sub-4m SUV is anticipated to go on sale in India, with costs starting at approximately Rs 8.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Along with the Maruti Fronx and Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor sub-4m crossovers, it will compete with the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger, and Nissan Magnite.