Special features of Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, offering in the mid-size segment, is powered by a 1.1 litre, 62 bhp, 16 valve, MPFI engine and will be available in India in two manual transmission versions and one automatic version. The manual transmission versions include a Wagon R LX with air-conditioning and a fully loaded VX version. The Wagon R is a compact, highly manoeuvrable and fuel-efficient vehicle with interior space and comfort of a luxury car and the external dimensions of a compact car. A car that once defied description and had only the backing of its designers and engineers, the mid-size market has grown dramatically over the past three years and seen the entry of many players. From a mere 20 per cent of the total market in 1996-97, the mid-size segment in the first half of the current fiscal accounted for 43 per cent of the market, up from 30 per cent in 1998-99. The mid-size segment has grown significantly faster than either the luxury or the small car segment.

The Wagon R's high design makes it stand out on the road. A bold front bonnet, vertical front headlamps and a powerful, one-piece front bumper and grills make it stand apart from the rest of the cars in its class. It has tinted glasses all round, side protective mouldings and body coloured bumpers. A high seating position and large opening doors provide extremely good access to and from the vehicle for both driver and passengers and good all round visibility. Its upright body design also provides more interior space for five adults and luggage.

The Wagon R's 16 valve MPFI engine is controlled by a computerised 16-bit electronic control module (ECM), enables efficient combustion of fuel and reduced emission. The ECM constantly tunes the engine on specific loads and requirements. It is also powered with a double distributorless ignition system, one of the latest technologies in the world of engine management systems.

The suspension of the Wagon R using MacPherson struts at the front while at the rear it has coil spring; gas filled shock absorbers with three-link rigid axle and isolated trailing arms. It has a power assisted brake system with an eight-inch booster and disc brakes at the front, pressure sensing valves to regulate the pressure to the wheels, and drums at the rear.

It has a strong and sturdy rigid monocoque frame that has been computer designed to absorb the energy of impacts at both the front and the rear through crumple zones. Side impact beams are standard in both front and rear doors. Vertical-type halogen headlamps provide good vision at night.

The Wagon R meets the Euro II norms through its new 1.1 litre engine, 4 cylinder, 16 valve (4 valves per cylinder) MPFI engine. It totally eliminates the use of eco-unfriendly substances such as asbestos for heat insulation and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) in air conditioning systems. The Wagon R uses ozone-friendly HFC 134a in its air conditioning and no polystyrene foam, Freon or trichlorotrifluoroethane are used.

The 1600 mm height of the Wagon R, the original "tall boy", provides good headroom even for tall passengers while its width of 1495 mm means that there is plenty of shoulder room and good luggage capacity. Because the body shell floor is flat and the rear seats can be individually folded down flat with a single action, large and often awkward items of luggage can be easily accommodated. With both the rear seats folded, there is a large space available. The wide rear door opens upwards rather than to one side so luggage can be easily loaded while at the same time the door can act as a canopy. Access to the rear luggage area is generous thanks to the low sill and the thoughtful positioning of the rear light units in the side pillars. The front seats are fully adjustable and can be reclined flat while detachable head restraints are fitted as standard to the front seats.

Other convenient features include a front seat back pocket on the passenger's side and front door trim pockets. The easy-to-read and well-designed digital instrument panel incorporates an electronic multi-trip meter.

The steering wheel is leather wrapped in VX and AX and the two versions also carry unique buzzers for "Head Lamps On" and "Key Not Removed". The VX and AX versions also incorporate a stereo with two front speakers. Power windows and central locking are available in VX and AX versions. Heater and air-conditioning are standard in all variants.

Tutu Dhawan

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