Maruti Suzuki India launched another of it’s global brands – the Splash – to be called the Ritz in India(as the name Splash is already in use by another car maker). At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented `Project Splash`, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Ritz. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Ritz. However, we wonder whether the design of the Ritz would go down well with everyone. The tailgate of Maruti Ritz has an inward obtuse angle to it, something seen more often on French hatchbacks.

The Ritz has been launched in two engine options – one petrol and one diesel. The petrol one is the recently launched 1197cc, 4 Cylinders, K12M engine which generates 85 Bhp at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 117 Nm at 4200 rpm. Ritz Diesel comes with a common-rail diesel is 1248cc engine which develops maximum power of 75 bhp, manufactured at Manesar in India. All these engines will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The Ritz is available in eight shades – Superior White, Silky Silver, Fire Brick Red, Bakers Chocolate, Racing Green, Blue Blaze, Midnight Black, Glistening Grey.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

The boot space in the Ritz is admirable, for a small car. Also, there is a lot of head room in the car, so it would be apt even for taller passengers. The digital liquid crystal display (LCD) positioned in the lower half of the speedometer of Ritz and gives the driver additional information. Certain versions of the Ritz sports a separately-mounted tachometer. So far, the sales charts for the Ritz has shown impressive figures. Maruti Suzuki definitely needed to raise it’s game, with foreign manufacturers entering the Indian market big time, and the Ritz seems to be a step in the right direction.

Specifications:

Related posts:

1. Maruti A-Star
2. Maruti SX4
3. Maruti A-Star – Fuel Leakage Problem
4. Maruti Suzuki launches the Kizashi
5. Nissan Micra-Threat to Maruti?