BMW X3 xDrive 30d driven
04 May 2012 5:08 PM by
Sarmad Kadiri
in
Single review
"My goal was to create for the all-new BMW X3 a 'dramatic vibrancy' of light and shade , emphasising the form and definition on the surface with new bold X-ness , " says Erik Goplen , BMW X3 exterior designer. And it does , as the new X3 combines the typical BMW X character with a dynamically stretched silhouette. The latest version has grown in size and is now 79 millimetres longer than the outgoing model , while the width has increase by 28 mm. However , the height has come down by about 13 mm. It's now closer to the X5 in terms of its proportions and there is a very strong resemblance between the two SUVs.
But the X3's sharply squared-off headlamps and strong crease lines on the side panels set it apart. Our test BMW sported the optional Xenon headlights and daytime running LED lights , which gave the X3 great character. It looks a lot more sporty and muscular which is a must for any SUV.
The high seating position makes getting in the SUV pretty convenient , whilst it also optimises visibility. As you settle in , you notice that the seats are firm , large , with good all-round support , which can be adjusted electronically. The increased dimensions have created better rear knee-room of 920 mm , which is 100 mm more than the competition.
The dash layout is truly BMW style , using the characteristic three-dimensional surface design , with a mix of wooden trims , leather and some brush metal highlights. The instrument panel uses Black Panel technology , straight out of the luxurious 7 Series. It combines state-of-the-art display technology with a classic round instrument look. The materials used look good and are built to last. It has phone and audio control buttons on the steering wheel , but there are no paddle gear-shifts and even the steering has to be adjusted manually. The standard equipment include iPod and USB interfaces , Bluetooth connectivity , rear camera , an anti-theft alarm and all-wheel drive system. The 8.8-inch screen of the iDrive is the largest on-board monitor in its segment , but would be more useful if the SUV came with reverse camera assistance.
The rear seats are split at a ratio of 40:20:40 and the three backrests can be folded down either individually or together. This increases the luggage compartment size from 550 litres to 1 , 600 litres , which would make room for anything that One would consider carrying for a weekend getaway.
The BMW X3 xDrive 30d comes with a straight six-cylinder , turbocharger , common rail diesel engine with a displacement of 2 , 993 cc. On tap is 260 PS and an amazing 560 Nm of torque available at 2 , 000 to 2 , 750 RPM. This three-litre diesel motor is an excellent performer and achieves acceleration from 0–100 km/h in just 7.11 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h. Apart from the sheer grunt , it also uses some EfficientDynamics features like the Auto Start Stop function with eight-speed automatic transmission , brake energy regeneration , lightweight body and , of course , aerodynamics in lowering fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels. These work in conjunction to deliver a decent 13 km per litre on the highway and nine kpl on busy City roads.
The xDrive permanent four-wheel drive technology comes as standard. Its electronic control unit is interlinked with Dynamic Stability Control , which neutralises at an early stage any tendency to oversteer or understeer through fast and precise response. This can be noticed as the SUV has minimum body-roll , optimised traction and is quick to regain its composure even on tricky bends. The Performance Control makes the BMW agile and the speed-dependent power steering contributes significantly to precise handling.
The new X3 also features a newly developed suspension technology that is a combination of double-joint spring-strut axle at the front and a five-link rear axle. The suspension along with a widened track (92 mm wider than that of the predecessor) makes the ride a lot more comfortable. A luxury SUV carrying a hefty price tag is neither desired nor advised to be taken on some serious off-roading. However , we did manage to do a fair amount of off-roading with ease , thanks to the good ground clearance , the 18-inch run-flat tyres with tall 50 profile tyres and loads of electronic functions. But we were nervous , none the less , as the X3 , like most BMWs , comes without a spare wheel and having run-flats wouldn't have have helped much as we drove to the back of beyond hunting for an ideal photo-shoot location.
It has features like Dynamic Damper control or electronically controlled dampers , adapts to road conditions and the driver’s style of driving. The driver can choose among the 'Normal' , 'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' modes , by simply using a set of buttons situated conveniently on the centre console.
'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' made the response of the steering faster , but also altered the suspension and steering set-up , making it too firm for Indian road conditions. Even the shift timings of the remarkably smooth eight-speed auto box was reduced in the sporty modes.
The SUV is also substantially safe with an extremely torsion-resistant body , large deformation zones and the safety equipment package comprises front and side curtain head airbags , three-point automatic seat-belts on all seats , belt force limiters , belt latch tensioners and crash-active front headrests as well as ISOFIX child seat mounts in the rear compartment.
This X3 is surely fast , but remains pricey. Priced just below Rs 60 lakh , the X3 xDrive 30d is anything but easily affordable. You can save around Rs 10 lakh if you opt for the xDrive 20d , which is powered by a smaller and slower two-litre diesel motor. Or you can opt for the Audi Q5 2.0 Tdi , which is almost as fast as the 30d and costs as much as the 20d. But if you have the money , are a Bavarian flag-bearer and nothing gives you more pleasure than the rotating propeller on the hood , then how can you say 'no' to this powerful , mid-sized sports activity vehicle?
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We test the mighty BMW 640d coupe
04 May 2012 4:51 PM by
Sarmad Kadiri
in
Single review
When i was given the keys of the BMW 640d Coupé , my immediate reaction was common: I've already played around with the fast and furious , petrol-powered 650i and the experience was just fantastic! The 640 'D' has a diesel heart and the term 'petrol-heads' doesn't gel well here , you know. So , I made a simple plan: let the Editor take the diesel-yawn-powered 'sportscar' for a performance test , see the poor results and scrap the article , as I sit back and enjoy the lingering taste of the 650i.
Now that you are reading this review , it means I had to eat my words , that too without coleslaw. Zero to 100 km/h in an astonishing 5.81 seconds and 0-60 km/h in just 2.8 seconds! The 2 , 993-cc variable-geometry-turbo diesel engine gets twin turbo which produce 317.34 PS of peak power. While the generous 630 Nm of torque is constantly available between 1 , 500 and 2 , 500 revolutions per minute. That means you never really have to make the tacho needle stretch out to the 5 , 400-RPM red-line to keep the car sailing atop the torque curve. All you need to do is squeeze the accelerator whenever there is a need for surplus surge and it is delivered without qualms.
The eight-speed automatic is quick to read your intentions and engages the right gear without a moment's hesitation. It shifts to higher gears when you're in the mood to cruise and shifts down at lightning speed when you tap the gas searching for more power. Rev a little harder and the in-line six gives out a throaty rumble , which is music to the ears but still does not come close to a sportscar-like exhaust note.
Being a GT , it's not as sharp or dramatic a sportscar , but comes pretty close. There are several driving modes to choose from that can be selected by a couple of buttons conveniently located near the gear stick. At a push of a button you can change the entire driving characteristics of the car and the selected mode can be easily spotted on the instrument control screen.
There are five modes to choose from. The 'Comfort Plus' and 'Comfort' modes keep the steering light , but reasonably communicative while the ride is supple and uncharacteristically soft. But the extremely low-profile tyres (245/35 R19) transfer slightest of road irregularity through the cabin and while hitting an unfortunate ditch the suspension springs max out. Ouch! That must've hurt. Though it improve as the speed increases.
The 'Sports Plus' and 'Sports' modes make the 640d , as you must have guessed , more sporty. The steering feels firmer and the ride stiffens , so there is low body-roll and you need the minimum steering input even around the sharpest of turns. But a quick set of left-right corners expose that it's not as nimble as One would expect it to be. At 1 , 790 kg this is a heavy car and the weight can be felt swaggering from one side to the other. Then you get the Dynamic Drive Control as part of the standard equipment , which further enhances your driving pleasure. It allows you to increase , or more likely , decrease the electronic drive control's intervention for some undiluted drifting action. Yes , it's good fun , but if you plan to switch off the ESP , then do be careful , there's no electronics to save your behind and there are chances of you landing in trouble. You also have the option of adding the Adaptive Drive (Dynamic Drive and Dynamic Damper Control) system for another Rs 5 lakh , if you want to further fine-tune the suspension settings in each driving mode.
The 640d also comes with a start-stop and 'Eco Pro' mode as part of the EfficientDynamics bouquet to improve fuel economy that make it cleaner and more efficient than petrol-run competitors. The 'Eco Pro' mode alters the engine management , acceleration and gear shifts to make the drive significantly more relaxed and economical at low revs. Moreover , the system makes the electrically-operated functions such as air-conditioning and seat , etc , more energy-efficient. The results are immediately visible on the driver's display functions. For example , the number of kilometres by which the vehicle’s range has been increased as a result. With CO2 emission of just 143 grams per kilometre and the display flashing a very respectable 12 kpl on the highway , we can't deny that all these systems do work well.
To be honest , we found the 'Sports Plus' mode to be ideal for some serious fun and the subtle 'Comfort' setting for a laid-back trip from office to home. Being a 'Grand Turismo' (read Grand Tourer) , the most important job for this BMW is to make sure that the drive is luxurious and comfortable , while the occupants arrive in style. The interior of the Six is plush and remains true to BMW family design. The careful selection of high-grade leather , the painstakingly accurate contrast stitchings , brushed aluminium , high-quality plastic and the attention to detail are all impressive. However , it doesn't make you feel special and misses the panache one would look for in a car of this stature.
The car is packed to the brim with interesting features and useful technologies. It has a sweet Bang & Olufsen music system , adaptive headlights , half-a-dozen airbags and cameras at every corner of the car to give you a 360-degree view. BMW's ConnectedDrive system through the iDrive helps you connect your mobile phone to the car so that you never miss a call , no matter how long the drive.
Being a Coupé , cabin space is a luxury. Though the front seats are comfortable , the rear ones are tight and better suited for kids. However , you do get a large , 460-litre boot to happily accommodate almost any size of luggage. But , most importantly , this is one of the best looking BMWs we have driven in the recent past. The aggressively designed , long bonnet with a sharp nose reminds one of a shark on the hunt for its elusive prey. The large wheels with thin tyres , diving roof-line and elegant tail are aesthetically perfect.
At Rs 75 lakh (ex-showroom) this definitely looks the price , can challenge most of it rivals for traffic light drag race (including gasoline powered ones) , yet is extremely frugal with CO2 emission figures that makes other sportscars look rather dirty. So , if you have the money to spare and turn purple in guilt if you forget to shut the bathroom tap , the BMW 640d is tailor-made for you.
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We review the most fuel efficient car: Chevrolet Beat Diesel
03 May 2012 3:39 PM by
Somnath Chatterjee
in
Single review
You have been requesting us for this. Well , here it is. The Chevrolet Beat Diesel road test.
It has become common place these days , you know when you first hear about another petrol price hike , you say some unkind words and then start your car and go to the nearest pump to fill up and save some money , only to find that a lot of other people had also the same idea. You stand in the long waiting line and get dejected. Bit by bit.
Think about it , we are using our cars more and more and the only way out as the trends also suggest is to buy a diesel car. In these times something like the Chevrolet Beat Diesel is nothing short of a saviour. Since its launch the Beat Diesel has been a huge success making it GM’s bread and butter model in India which is no surprise because it is just about the perfect urban commuter with a sprinkling of fun thrown in for free.
The engine in the Beat Diesel is a 1.0 three-cylinder Smartech motor , a 3 cylinder version of the 1.3-litre Fiat engine that is also seen on Maruti and Tata offerings. This engine is tuned to give maximum mileage and its lineage traces itself to the Multijet diesel engine! Gaadi.com’s Somnath Chatterjee drove it in gruelling traffic , highways to find out just how good the Beat Diesel is.
Turn the key and the Beat Diesel impresses from the word go. The refinement levels are Superb and not much noise seeps into the cabin. It is really good and even after you get driving noise levels are kept impressively low. What happened next was even more impressive. In cars like these performance is sacrificed at the altar of fuel economy but in the Beat the driving experience is surprisingly fun. Granted 58 bhp is not powerful enough but with the clever gearing and less weight the Beat just flies through traffic. This is where the Beat Diesel really shines- in the city. Thanks to its small proportions it is easy to zip through traffic and get into gaps that you wouldn’t even think in other cars. Turbo-lag is kept as low as possible and again thanks to the excellent gearing by GM , it is very easy to drive and it goes quickly. The steering is light and easy to operate and so is the clutch. The gearbox is nice to use but the throws are long. One thing you got to know that it is important to drive it in the right gear and revving it is pointless. In the highways the car runs out of breath quite easily but first and foremost it is a City car and for that it does its job brilliantly. That said it does hit the 150km/h mark as well!
But more than the drive the one figure that really blew us off is the FE of 25.44 kmpl – ARAI rated. Use the right gear all the time and with AC and start-stop traffic the real world FE figures would be around 20-22 kmpl which means average running cost of around Rs 2 per km!
Plus as a package the Beat makes good sense too. We still love its funky styling and it appeals a lot to the 18-35 age group and it looks fresh even today and is one of the most futuristic small cars around. The large headlamps and hidden back door handles really give it some character to the shape. The interiors also look good especially with the glossy black panel and the Superbike inspired instrument cluster. Once it gets dark , the backlight illumination adds to the oomph factor. Space is average though and rear space could have been better and luggage space is nothing to write home about but then , one look at the sticker price and this little shortcoming takes a back seat.
Verdict
All things considered the Beat Diesel is one of the cheapest means of transportation around but what makes it really good is that it is also very fun to drive and it does not feel cheap in any way. Prices for the Beat Diesel (ex-showroom Delhi) start at Rs 4.4 lakhs to Rs 5.6 lakhs for the LT with Option pack. Our advice is to spend a little bit more and go for the LT model rather than go for the more basic LS model because it has many features like an Auto AC , USB and integrated CD/MP3 music system , tilt steering and rear power windows. Now that is a lot and let’s look at this way , the money you spend more for the LT will come back in increased re-sale value because the Beat Diesel with more features will do better in the used market. So the next time you read about another petrol price hike you will stay smug-faced!
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Volvo S60 D3 expert review
20 Apr 2012 3:02 PM by
Somnath Chatterjee
in
Single review
Volvo isn’t exactly having a roller coaster time in India , but that is not due to the cars but somewhat due to lack of marketing and dealers. Whatever that is , Volvo is now determined to change things around. But in order to woo the luxury car-buyer , Volvo had to do something that will make everyone sit up and take notice. To do that there is nothing better than a juicy price-cut. You see today we have the S60 sedan with the new D3 diesel engine. But the big news is not that but the price which starting at Rs 25 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) makes it great value for money!
But before we sink our teeth into the new engine and the details , let us first talk about those gorgeous looks. i know looks are subjective but since I have yet to meet someone who does not think Megan Fox is good looking it is safe to assume that the S60 is a stunning design. I mean just look at it , it is low , wide , muscular and with a ‘don’t mess with me’ look written all over it. There is not even a hint of body fat all over and the sharp slashes and that sleek face really force to stare at that shape for hours. The front is really purposeful with those headlamps and that big Volvo grille. The coupe like stance of the S60 is further projected by the sculpted bonnet and the short overhangs front and rear. The rear is short and stubby and perfectly rounds off this design.
Add to that we had our test car in ‘Vibrant Copper Metallic’ and you can possible imagine the effect. Everywhere we went people were busy depleting their cell phone memory cards by clicking pictures and most were busy collecting their jaws from the ground. Yes the S60 has way more presence than its rivals and it is One of the best looking cars on sale in India today!
Step inside though and it’s a different world all together , the fit and finish is just spectacular. Everywhere you look there is high quality stuff and sitting inside the S60 gives a feeling that you are sitting inside a vault.
A luxurious vault at that , the leather is soft and the car is loaded with all sorts of gizmos that you can think off. The centre-console is ‘waterfall’ like and is angled towards the driver. The centre-console is full of buttons though and we would have liked a simplified controller for all options like the iDrive in BMW’s. Of course in a car like this you expect it to be loaded and the S60 is- u get audio controls on steering wheel , USB and i-pod connectivity , Bluetooth Handsfree and audio streaming , electronic climate control etc. We are happy to report that the AC was super effective and and the audio system was great as well. When it comes to space the (powered) front seats are large and extremely comfy and at the rear space is in fact quite good too! With yours truly (six feet tall) sitting at the front , there is enough space for editor Bunny (also six feet tall) to sit at the back comfortably. It does not feel like sitting inside a football field but it is more comfy than some of its rivals!
Now to get driving. As I talked earlier the D3 engine is basically a small capacity version of the D5 engine. You get 163 bhp and max torque of 400 Nm. At first it seems there is a bit of lag but as I put my foot down the devil inside the car showed up- the mid-range. The power deliver is brutal and you better be ready for it as the car really goes. There is ample torque available and that means you are never short of power. Of course the D5 is faster but the trade-off which is fuel efficiency makes it worth it. Drive it sedately and you can get 17-18 kmpl.
The 6-speed auto-box with manual shift is fairly responsive. In ‘D’ mode the gearbox is slightly slow to react but use the manual mode and it is much better. But even in manual mode it doesn’t like holding onto gears for long.
The handling though is top-notch and you can really push the S60 and it delivers. Also giving you confidence to push for more is the astounding braking performance. The steering felt very heavy but not loaded with feel.
Verdict
The S60 is available with three engine options- two diesels and the T6 petrol. The D3 is available in two variants- Kinetic and Summum. The Kinetic is priced at Rs 25 lakhs and the Summum is priced at Rs 28 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). The Kinetic D3 S60 is the one to go for as it is already very well equipped plus Volvo which is synonymous with safety has equipped the S60 with features like Laser Assisted Automatic braking , whiplash protection front seats , SIPS Airbags and 2 Step airbag.
Thus in the end as you can see it is difficult not to like the S60 and in its D3 avatar it has just got more tempting than before!
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Maruti Ertiga - full test and review
13 Apr 2012 3:26 PM by
Somnath Chatterjee
in
Single review
This road test was uploaded on the 13th April 2012.
The Ertiga has gone on sale , starting at Rs 5.89 lakh for the petrol and Rs 7.30 lakh for the diesel variants
Introduction
January 2012 , New Delhi , Pragati Maidan. A crowd of buzzing journalists and curious onlookers gather at the Maruti hall. Next to a snazzy SUV concept , Maruti unleashes the Ertiga which for them represents the confidence of India’s favourite car-maker and its ability to bring cars that are tailor made to make a direct entry in every Indian car buyer’s heart. The MPV segment is of course not new to Maruti - there is the Omni and the Eeco. Earlier there was also the Maruti Versa which was not so successful. So why is Maruti having another go at this segment? Because this time Maruti has painstakingly made sure it can succeed by carefully moulding the MPV to suit the Indian tastes plus ‘MPV’ is the latest buzzword in the Indian auto industry as Nissan and Chevrolet and others are also planning to launch MPV’s. Lastly , let’s not forget that the Omni and Eeco aren’t really luxurious , comfortable , safe or MPVs that would feel at home for upper middle class families! The Ertiga (with the rivals coming in soon) will not have it easy though but it seems to have all the winning ingredients and of course that Maruti logo in the front will no doubt give it a winning start but the question remains , is it any good? Is it true replacement for your sedan? Somnath Chatterjee drove both the diesel and petrol versions to find out.
Design and looks
The Ertiga will not only be sold in the Indian market but also in Indonesia which is One of the biggest markets for MPV’s. So the Ertiga has to cut the mustard in the looks department and we are happy to say that it does , especially in the top end ZXi and ZDi models that come with alloy wheels. Seeing the Ertiga in the flesh for the first time brings up quite a reaction. First of all it looks much bigger in person than in pictures and the Swift influence is very much there. Don’t be surprised though as the Ertiga is based on the new Swift platform but it does have its own visual identity. The sharp swept back headlamps dominate the front end while the grille and bonnet (borrowed from the Ritz) complete a handsome looking face. The Ertiga’s dimensions look more like a big hatchback rather than a MPV. The Ertiga has an overall length of 4265 mm and an overall width of 1695 mm. To put that in perspective the Innova has an overall length of 4580 mm and a height of 1760 mm. The side view of the Ertiga is again clean looking and the flared wheel arches do add some muscle to the look without creating too much clutter. The 15 inch wheels though are a tad too small though , unable to fill the wheel arches properly.
Move to the rear and the small tail-lamps make the rear look a bit bare and it certainly is not as sporty looking as the front. But again it is minimalistic and very clean.
Typically you also get a plethora of colour options to choose from , which include Serene Blue , Ecru Beige , Granite Grey , Silky Silver , Superior White and Dusky Brown. However the best colour according to us is the Firebrick Red , which as you can see adorns our test car. It’s a deep maroonish colour and it brings out the best in the Ertiga’s design.
On the whole this is a design that many would be pleased with. It is well-proportioned and it does not look flabby and slab-sided like some of the other MPV’s. The Swift inspired front end is my favourite and it looks lower and sportier than any other MPV out there. Good start Ertiga!
Interiors
Step inside and immediately you get a sense that it is a spacious and an airy cabin. The light beige look to the interiors does help in that matter. As expected the interior design borrows heavily from the Swift but with a more upmarket look. The materials used in the cabin are of good quality , especially the look and feel of the upper part of the centre-console. The only complaint here is that the knobs for the AC could have been of better quality.
Equipment wise you do get a lot of bang for your buck. You get steering mounted audio controls , USB compatible audio system which does sound good! The instruments (with LCD display) , show information like the outside temperature , driving range etc.
With summer just starting to reveal its true colours , here was a good chance to test the Ertiga’s air conditioning system and we are happy to report that it kept us chilled in the Delhi heat. Plus what is also comforting is that the 2nd row gets its separate AC with controls.
Being an MPV space is of paramount importance and don’t let the fact that the Ertiga is smaller than the Innova fool you , Maruti has squeezed out a lot of space in the Ertiga. For starters the 6-way adjustable front seats are large and comfy with good headroom and legroom. The 2nd row is also comfortable with enough legroom and adequate thigh-support though three people at the back can be a bit of a squeeze. There is a centre armrest , sliding/reclining seatbacks , adjustable headrests , cup holders. The 2nd row also features a 60:40 spilt for convenience.
The Ertiga has a 5+2 ‘Flexi-Seating’ which means it has a 3rd row of seats and life in the 3rd row is not claustrophobic at all - in-fact since you are not sitting in the ‘knees-up position’ , for short journeys it is fine. For easy access to the 3rd row , the 2nd row seatback folds down and slides forward. Luggage space is good too as with all the seats up , the luggage space is 135 litres and goes all the way upto 735 litres.
The Ertiga being an MPV means lots of people will be travelling and that means lots of storage places are required and the Ertiga has them. The glove box is adequate in size plus there is a dashboard rack , centre console cup holder , dashboard cup holder , front and rear door pockets , front passenger seatback pocket and a luggage box. Phew!
Engine , gearbox
The Ertiga has two engine options , a new 1.4 litre petrol and the much loved 1.3 litre diesel. Let’s deal with petrol first , this K-series engine makes 95 PS at 6000 rpm and has max torque of 130 Nm@4000 rpm. It feels punchy and eager to rev. At City speeds the engine feels good and performance delivery is fine but once you start putting in some speed it feels strained. But for cruising it is fine and any which ways , you see a petrol Ertiga full of passengers being driven in a very spirited manner – this vehicle is meant to ferry families in comfort. After the petrol , it was time for the diesel. This DDiS diesel engine makes 90 PS at 4000 rpm and has max torque of 200 Nm at 1750 rpm. At first there is some turbo-lag but once it frees up and the turbo spools up , the performance is very good and it is quite quick for a MPV.
The 5-speed gearbox is fun to use and it shifts are accurate and easy to slot. The clutch is also on the light side and coupled with a perfect driving position , the Ertiga is easier to drive than some of the other MPV’s. Plus when negotiating some tight turns the turning radius of 5.2 m is quite good too.
Fuel efficiency is very important and being a Maruti it is even more so. The Ertiga does impress with a figure of 16 kmpl for the petrol and 20 kmpl for the diesel , both being ARAI certified and certainly miles ahead of the other MUVs / MPVs.
Suspension , ride and handling
The suspension of the Ertiga features MacPherson Strut at the front and Torsion Beam at the rear. Thanks to a monocoque chassis both the ride and the handling are impressive. The ride is not choppy and bumps are swallowed effortlessly , we took the Ertiga on an uneven terrain and it performed effortlessly. Even the really sharp bumps and potholes are dealt well. Time to up the ante and go , er , corner hunting.
The Ertiga has a gross vehicle weight of 1760 kg (for petrol) and 1845 kg (for diesel) and it is light on its feet.
The Ertiga did impress me but let’s face it is not meant for an enthusiast but what it does , is handle with finesse. Thanks to the monocoque chassis again it feels well balanced and there is less amounts of body roll. It definitely beats the other MPV’s in this department. Refinement levels were a mixed bag though as there was noise coming in the cabin but it is not intrusive and you will get over it quickly.
The steering though was light but that will add to the car’s user friendliness as it will be easy to drive in traffic and while parking. The braking performance of the Ertiga also proved to be satisfactory as it has ABS with Brake Assist and EBD.
Verdict
The Ertiga has three variants each for diesel and petrol. The prices however are no less shocking! The base LXi (P) and LDi (D) are priced at Rs 5.89 lakh and Rs 7.30 lakh , midway through the range the VXi (P) and the VDi (D) are priced at Rs 6.60 lakh and Rs 7.90 lakh and the top of the line ZXi (P) and ZDi (D) are priced at Rs 7.30 lakh and 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Whichever way you look at it the Ertiga is stunning value for money. In our opinion the variant that makes the most sense is the VXi (P) and the VDi (D) variants as they are well equipped with features like the rear AC , radio/CD/USB player. Of course the ZXi (P) and ZDi (D) variants are the top of the line variants and have features like steering mounted audio controls and driver and passenger airbags.
But the big question is should you buy the petrol or diesel. Well the Ertiga in my opinion works best with the diesel. The new petrol engine is more fun to drive and loves to rev but for all practical purposes , it is the diesel that we are leaning towards thanks to its efficiency mainly and let’s face it , most demand will be of the diesel only.
In the end Maruti seems to have done it! The Ertiga successfully combines the attributes of a car with those of a MPV. It is easy to drive and does not feel huge in the city which is typical of all other MPV’s. The driving manners are car like and you forget that you are in a MPV sometimes as it just feels like a big hatch to drive! Plus it is practical and will comfortably seat your family. So the Ertiga is a perfect everyday car and a weekend car all rolled into one! It seems the Ertiga is yet another hit from India’s favourite car maker and should keep their finance department happy with numbers rolling in easily!
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"My goal was to create for the all-new BMW X3 a 'dramatic vibrancy' of light and shade , emphasising the form and definition on the surface with new bold X-ness , " says Erik Goplen , BMW X3 exterior designer. And it does , as the new X3 combines the typical BMW X character with a dynamically stretched silhouette. The latest version has grown in size and is now 79 millimetres longer than the outgoing model , while the width has increase by 28 mm. However , the height has come down by about 13 mm. It's now closer to the X5 in terms of its proportions and there is a very strong resemblance between the two SUVs.
But the X3's sharply squared-off headlamps and strong crease lines on the side panels set it apart. Our test BMW sported the optional Xenon headlights and daytime running LED lights , which gave the X3 great character. It looks a lot more sporty and muscular which is a must for any SUV.
The high seating position makes getting in the SUV pretty convenient , whilst it also optimises visibility. As you settle in , you notice that the seats are firm , large , with good all-round support , which can be adjusted electronically. The increased dimensions have created better rear knee-room of 920 mm , which is 100 mm more than the competition.
The dash layout is truly BMW style , using the characteristic three-dimensional surface design , with a mix of wooden trims , leather and some brush metal highlights. The instrument panel uses Black Panel technology , straight out of the luxurious 7 Series. It combines state-of-the-art display technology with a classic round instrument look. The materials used look good and are built to last. It has phone and audio control buttons on the steering wheel , but there are no paddle gear-shifts and even the steering has to be adjusted manually. The standard equipment include iPod and USB interfaces , Bluetooth connectivity , rear camera , an anti-theft alarm and all-wheel drive system. The 8.8-inch screen of the iDrive is the largest on-board monitor in its segment , but would be more useful if the SUV came with reverse camera assistance.
The rear seats are split at a ratio of 40:20:40 and the three backrests can be folded down either individually or together. This increases the luggage compartment size from 550 litres to 1 , 600 litres , which would make room for anything that One would consider carrying for a weekend getaway.
The BMW X3 xDrive 30d comes with a straight six-cylinder , turbocharger , common rail diesel engine with a displacement of 2 , 993 cc. On tap is 260 PS and an amazing 560 Nm of torque available at 2 , 000 to 2 , 750 RPM. This three-litre diesel motor is an excellent performer and achieves acceleration from 0–100 km/h in just 7.11 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h. Apart from the sheer grunt , it also uses some EfficientDynamics features like the Auto Start Stop function with eight-speed automatic transmission , brake energy regeneration , lightweight body and , of course , aerodynamics in lowering fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels. These work in conjunction to deliver a decent 13 km per litre on the highway and nine kpl on busy City roads.
The xDrive permanent four-wheel drive technology comes as standard. Its electronic control unit is interlinked with Dynamic Stability Control , which neutralises at an early stage any tendency to oversteer or understeer through fast and precise response. This can be noticed as the SUV has minimum body-roll , optimised traction and is quick to regain its composure even on tricky bends. The Performance Control makes the BMW agile and the speed-dependent power steering contributes significantly to precise handling.
The new X3 also features a newly developed suspension technology that is a combination of double-joint spring-strut axle at the front and a five-link rear axle. The suspension along with a widened track (92 mm wider than that of the predecessor) makes the ride a lot more comfortable. A luxury SUV carrying a hefty price tag is neither desired nor advised to be taken on some serious off-roading. However , we did manage to do a fair amount of off-roading with ease , thanks to the good ground clearance , the 18-inch run-flat tyres with tall 50 profile tyres and loads of electronic functions. But we were nervous , none the less , as the X3 , like most BMWs , comes without a spare wheel and having run-flats wouldn't have have helped much as we drove to the back of beyond hunting for an ideal photo-shoot location.
It has features like Dynamic Damper control or electronically controlled dampers , adapts to road conditions and the driver’s style of driving. The driver can choose among the 'Normal' , 'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' modes , by simply using a set of buttons situated conveniently on the centre console.
'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' made the response of the steering faster , but also altered the suspension and steering set-up , making it too firm for Indian road conditions. Even the shift timings of the remarkably smooth eight-speed auto box was reduced in the sporty modes.
The SUV is also substantially safe with an extremely torsion-resistant body , large deformation zones and the safety equipment package comprises front and side curtain head airbags , three-point automatic seat-belts on all seats , belt force limiters , belt latch tensioners and crash-active front headrests as well as ISOFIX child seat mounts in the rear compartment.
This X3 is surely fast , but remains pricey. Priced just below Rs 60 lakh , the X3 xDrive 30d is anything but easily affordable. You can save around Rs 10 lakh if you opt for the xDrive 20d , which is powered by a smaller and slower two-litre diesel motor. Or you can opt for the Audi Q5 2.0 Tdi , which is almost as fast as the 30d and costs as much as the 20d. But if you have the money , are a Bavarian flag-bearer and nothing gives you more pleasure than the rotating propeller on the hood , then how can you say 'no' to this powerful , mid-sized sports activity vehicle?
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When i was given the keys of the BMW 640d Coupé , my immediate reaction was common: I've already played around with the fast and furious , petrol-powered 650i and the experience was just fantastic! The 640 'D' has a diesel heart and the term 'petrol-heads' doesn't gel well here , you know. So , I made a simple plan: let the Editor take the diesel-yawn-powered 'sportscar' for a performance test , see the poor results and scrap the article , as I sit back and enjoy the lingering taste of the 650i.
Now that you are reading this review , it means I had to eat my words , that too without coleslaw. Zero to 100 km/h in an astonishing 5.81 seconds and 0-60 km/h in just 2.8 seconds! The 2 , 993-cc variable-geometry-turbo diesel engine gets twin turbo which produce 317.34 PS of peak power. While the generous 630 Nm of torque is constantly available between 1 , 500 and 2 , 500 revolutions per minute. That means you never really have to make the tacho needle stretch out to the 5 , 400-RPM red-line to keep the car sailing atop the torque curve. All you need to do is squeeze the accelerator whenever there is a need for surplus surge and it is delivered without qualms.
The eight-speed automatic is quick to read your intentions and engages the right gear without a moment's hesitation. It shifts to higher gears when you're in the mood to cruise and shifts down at lightning speed when you tap the gas searching for more power. Rev a little harder and the in-line six gives out a throaty rumble , which is music to the ears but still does not come close to a sportscar-like exhaust note.
Being a GT , it's not as sharp or dramatic a sportscar , but comes pretty close. There are several driving modes to choose from that can be selected by a couple of buttons conveniently located near the gear stick. At a push of a button you can change the entire driving characteristics of the car and the selected mode can be easily spotted on the instrument control screen.
There are five modes to choose from. The 'Comfort Plus' and 'Comfort' modes keep the steering light , but reasonably communicative while the ride is supple and uncharacteristically soft. But the extremely low-profile tyres (245/35 R19) transfer slightest of road irregularity through the cabin and while hitting an unfortunate ditch the suspension springs max out. Ouch! That must've hurt. Though it improve as the speed increases.
The 'Sports Plus' and 'Sports' modes make the 640d , as you must have guessed , more sporty. The steering feels firmer and the ride stiffens , so there is low body-roll and you need the minimum steering input even around the sharpest of turns. But a quick set of left-right corners expose that it's not as nimble as One would expect it to be. At 1 , 790 kg this is a heavy car and the weight can be felt swaggering from one side to the other. Then you get the Dynamic Drive Control as part of the standard equipment , which further enhances your driving pleasure. It allows you to increase , or more likely , decrease the electronic drive control's intervention for some undiluted drifting action. Yes , it's good fun , but if you plan to switch off the ESP , then do be careful , there's no electronics to save your behind and there are chances of you landing in trouble. You also have the option of adding the Adaptive Drive (Dynamic Drive and Dynamic Damper Control) system for another Rs 5 lakh , if you want to further fine-tune the suspension settings in each driving mode.
The 640d also comes with a start-stop and 'Eco Pro' mode as part of the EfficientDynamics bouquet to improve fuel economy that make it cleaner and more efficient than petrol-run competitors. The 'Eco Pro' mode alters the engine management , acceleration and gear shifts to make the drive significantly more relaxed and economical at low revs. Moreover , the system makes the electrically-operated functions such as air-conditioning and seat , etc , more energy-efficient. The results are immediately visible on the driver's display functions. For example , the number of kilometres by which the vehicle’s range has been increased as a result. With CO2 emission of just 143 grams per kilometre and the display flashing a very respectable 12 kpl on the highway , we can't deny that all these systems do work well.
To be honest , we found the 'Sports Plus' mode to be ideal for some serious fun and the subtle 'Comfort' setting for a laid-back trip from office to home. Being a 'Grand Turismo' (read Grand Tourer) , the most important job for this BMW is to make sure that the drive is luxurious and comfortable , while the occupants arrive in style. The interior of the Six is plush and remains true to BMW family design. The careful selection of high-grade leather , the painstakingly accurate contrast stitchings , brushed aluminium , high-quality plastic and the attention to detail are all impressive. However , it doesn't make you feel special and misses the panache one would look for in a car of this stature.
The car is packed to the brim with interesting features and useful technologies. It has a sweet Bang & Olufsen music system , adaptive headlights , half-a-dozen airbags and cameras at every corner of the car to give you a 360-degree view. BMW's ConnectedDrive system through the iDrive helps you connect your mobile phone to the car so that you never miss a call , no matter how long the drive.
Being a Coupé , cabin space is a luxury. Though the front seats are comfortable , the rear ones are tight and better suited for kids. However , you do get a large , 460-litre boot to happily accommodate almost any size of luggage. But , most importantly , this is one of the best looking BMWs we have driven in the recent past. The aggressively designed , long bonnet with a sharp nose reminds one of a shark on the hunt for its elusive prey. The large wheels with thin tyres , diving roof-line and elegant tail are aesthetically perfect.
At Rs 75 lakh (ex-showroom) this definitely looks the price , can challenge most of it rivals for traffic light drag race (including gasoline powered ones) , yet is extremely frugal with CO2 emission figures that makes other sportscars look rather dirty. So , if you have the money to spare and turn purple in guilt if you forget to shut the bathroom tap , the BMW 640d is tailor-made for you.
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You have been requesting us for this. Well , here it is. The Chevrolet Beat Diesel road test.
It has become common place these days , you know when you first hear about another petrol price hike , you say some unkind words and then start your car and go to the nearest pump to fill up and save some money , only to find that a lot of other people had also the same idea. You stand in the long waiting line and get dejected. Bit by bit.
Think about it , we are using our cars more and more and the only way out as the trends also suggest is to buy a diesel car. In these times something like the Chevrolet Beat Diesel is nothing short of a saviour. Since its launch the Beat Diesel has been a huge success making it GM’s bread and butter model in India which is no surprise because it is just about the perfect urban commuter with a sprinkling of fun thrown in for free.
The engine in the Beat Diesel is a 1.0 three-cylinder Smartech motor , a 3 cylinder version of the 1.3-litre Fiat engine that is also seen on Maruti and Tata offerings. This engine is tuned to give maximum mileage and its lineage traces itself to the Multijet diesel engine! Gaadi.com’s Somnath Chatterjee drove it in gruelling traffic , highways to find out just how good the Beat Diesel is.
Turn the key and the Beat Diesel impresses from the word go. The refinement levels are Superb and not much noise seeps into the cabin. It is really good and even after you get driving noise levels are kept impressively low. What happened next was even more impressive. In cars like these performance is sacrificed at the altar of fuel economy but in the Beat the driving experience is surprisingly fun. Granted 58 bhp is not powerful enough but with the clever gearing and less weight the Beat just flies through traffic. This is where the Beat Diesel really shines- in the city. Thanks to its small proportions it is easy to zip through traffic and get into gaps that you wouldn’t even think in other cars. Turbo-lag is kept as low as possible and again thanks to the excellent gearing by GM , it is very easy to drive and it goes quickly. The steering is light and easy to operate and so is the clutch. The gearbox is nice to use but the throws are long. One thing you got to know that it is important to drive it in the right gear and revving it is pointless. In the highways the car runs out of breath quite easily but first and foremost it is a City car and for that it does its job brilliantly. That said it does hit the 150km/h mark as well!
But more than the drive the one figure that really blew us off is the FE of 25.44 kmpl – ARAI rated. Use the right gear all the time and with AC and start-stop traffic the real world FE figures would be around 20-22 kmpl which means average running cost of around Rs 2 per km!
Plus as a package the Beat makes good sense too. We still love its funky styling and it appeals a lot to the 18-35 age group and it looks fresh even today and is one of the most futuristic small cars around. The large headlamps and hidden back door handles really give it some character to the shape. The interiors also look good especially with the glossy black panel and the Superbike inspired instrument cluster. Once it gets dark , the backlight illumination adds to the oomph factor. Space is average though and rear space could have been better and luggage space is nothing to write home about but then , one look at the sticker price and this little shortcoming takes a back seat.
Verdict
All things considered the Beat Diesel is one of the cheapest means of transportation around but what makes it really good is that it is also very fun to drive and it does not feel cheap in any way. Prices for the Beat Diesel (ex-showroom Delhi) start at Rs 4.4 lakhs to Rs 5.6 lakhs for the LT with Option pack. Our advice is to spend a little bit more and go for the LT model rather than go for the more basic LS model because it has many features like an Auto AC , USB and integrated CD/MP3 music system , tilt steering and rear power windows. Now that is a lot and let’s look at this way , the money you spend more for the LT will come back in increased re-sale value because the Beat Diesel with more features will do better in the used market. So the next time you read about another petrol price hike you will stay smug-faced!
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Volvo isn’t exactly having a roller coaster time in India , but that is not due to the cars but somewhat due to lack of marketing and dealers. Whatever that is , Volvo is now determined to change things around. But in order to woo the luxury car-buyer , Volvo had to do something that will make everyone sit up and take notice. To do that there is nothing better than a juicy price-cut. You see today we have the S60 sedan with the new D3 diesel engine. But the big news is not that but the price which starting at Rs 25 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) makes it great value for money!
But before we sink our teeth into the new engine and the details , let us first talk about those gorgeous looks. i know looks are subjective but since I have yet to meet someone who does not think Megan Fox is good looking it is safe to assume that the S60 is a stunning design. I mean just look at it , it is low , wide , muscular and with a ‘don’t mess with me’ look written all over it. There is not even a hint of body fat all over and the sharp slashes and that sleek face really force to stare at that shape for hours. The front is really purposeful with those headlamps and that big Volvo grille. The coupe like stance of the S60 is further projected by the sculpted bonnet and the short overhangs front and rear. The rear is short and stubby and perfectly rounds off this design.
Add to that we had our test car in ‘Vibrant Copper Metallic’ and you can possible imagine the effect. Everywhere we went people were busy depleting their cell phone memory cards by clicking pictures and most were busy collecting their jaws from the ground. Yes the S60 has way more presence than its rivals and it is One of the best looking cars on sale in India today!
Step inside though and it’s a different world all together , the fit and finish is just spectacular. Everywhere you look there is high quality stuff and sitting inside the S60 gives a feeling that you are sitting inside a vault.
A luxurious vault at that , the leather is soft and the car is loaded with all sorts of gizmos that you can think off. The centre-console is ‘waterfall’ like and is angled towards the driver. The centre-console is full of buttons though and we would have liked a simplified controller for all options like the iDrive in BMW’s. Of course in a car like this you expect it to be loaded and the S60 is- u get audio controls on steering wheel , USB and i-pod connectivity , Bluetooth Handsfree and audio streaming , electronic climate control etc. We are happy to report that the AC was super effective and and the audio system was great as well. When it comes to space the (powered) front seats are large and extremely comfy and at the rear space is in fact quite good too! With yours truly (six feet tall) sitting at the front , there is enough space for editor Bunny (also six feet tall) to sit at the back comfortably. It does not feel like sitting inside a football field but it is more comfy than some of its rivals!
Now to get driving. As I talked earlier the D3 engine is basically a small capacity version of the D5 engine. You get 163 bhp and max torque of 400 Nm. At first it seems there is a bit of lag but as I put my foot down the devil inside the car showed up- the mid-range. The power deliver is brutal and you better be ready for it as the car really goes. There is ample torque available and that means you are never short of power. Of course the D5 is faster but the trade-off which is fuel efficiency makes it worth it. Drive it sedately and you can get 17-18 kmpl.
The 6-speed auto-box with manual shift is fairly responsive. In ‘D’ mode the gearbox is slightly slow to react but use the manual mode and it is much better. But even in manual mode it doesn’t like holding onto gears for long.
The handling though is top-notch and you can really push the S60 and it delivers. Also giving you confidence to push for more is the astounding braking performance. The steering felt very heavy but not loaded with feel.
Verdict
The S60 is available with three engine options- two diesels and the T6 petrol. The D3 is available in two variants- Kinetic and Summum. The Kinetic is priced at Rs 25 lakhs and the Summum is priced at Rs 28 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). The Kinetic D3 S60 is the one to go for as it is already very well equipped plus Volvo which is synonymous with safety has equipped the S60 with features like Laser Assisted Automatic braking , whiplash protection front seats , SIPS Airbags and 2 Step airbag.
Thus in the end as you can see it is difficult not to like the S60 and in its D3 avatar it has just got more tempting than before!
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This road test was uploaded on the 13th April 2012.
The Ertiga has gone on sale , starting at Rs 5.89 lakh for the petrol and Rs 7.30 lakh for the diesel variants
Introduction
January 2012 , New Delhi , Pragati Maidan. A crowd of buzzing journalists and curious onlookers gather at the Maruti hall. Next to a snazzy SUV concept , Maruti unleashes the Ertiga which for them represents the confidence of India’s favourite car-maker and its ability to bring cars that are tailor made to make a direct entry in every Indian car buyer’s heart. The MPV segment is of course not new to Maruti - there is the Omni and the Eeco. Earlier there was also the Maruti Versa which was not so successful. So why is Maruti having another go at this segment? Because this time Maruti has painstakingly made sure it can succeed by carefully moulding the MPV to suit the Indian tastes plus ‘MPV’ is the latest buzzword in the Indian auto industry as Nissan and Chevrolet and others are also planning to launch MPV’s. Lastly , let’s not forget that the Omni and Eeco aren’t really luxurious , comfortable , safe or MPVs that would feel at home for upper middle class families! The Ertiga (with the rivals coming in soon) will not have it easy though but it seems to have all the winning ingredients and of course that Maruti logo in the front will no doubt give it a winning start but the question remains , is it any good? Is it true replacement for your sedan? Somnath Chatterjee drove both the diesel and petrol versions to find out.
Design and looks
The Ertiga will not only be sold in the Indian market but also in Indonesia which is One of the biggest markets for MPV’s. So the Ertiga has to cut the mustard in the looks department and we are happy to say that it does , especially in the top end ZXi and ZDi models that come with alloy wheels. Seeing the Ertiga in the flesh for the first time brings up quite a reaction. First of all it looks much bigger in person than in pictures and the Swift influence is very much there. Don’t be surprised though as the Ertiga is based on the new Swift platform but it does have its own visual identity. The sharp swept back headlamps dominate the front end while the grille and bonnet (borrowed from the Ritz) complete a handsome looking face. The Ertiga’s dimensions look more like a big hatchback rather than a MPV. The Ertiga has an overall length of 4265 mm and an overall width of 1695 mm. To put that in perspective the Innova has an overall length of 4580 mm and a height of 1760 mm. The side view of the Ertiga is again clean looking and the flared wheel arches do add some muscle to the look without creating too much clutter. The 15 inch wheels though are a tad too small though , unable to fill the wheel arches properly.
Move to the rear and the small tail-lamps make the rear look a bit bare and it certainly is not as sporty looking as the front. But again it is minimalistic and very clean.
Typically you also get a plethora of colour options to choose from , which include Serene Blue , Ecru Beige , Granite Grey , Silky Silver , Superior White and Dusky Brown. However the best colour according to us is the Firebrick Red , which as you can see adorns our test car. It’s a deep maroonish colour and it brings out the best in the Ertiga’s design.
On the whole this is a design that many would be pleased with. It is well-proportioned and it does not look flabby and slab-sided like some of the other MPV’s. The Swift inspired front end is my favourite and it looks lower and sportier than any other MPV out there. Good start Ertiga!
Interiors
Step inside and immediately you get a sense that it is a spacious and an airy cabin. The light beige look to the interiors does help in that matter. As expected the interior design borrows heavily from the Swift but with a more upmarket look. The materials used in the cabin are of good quality , especially the look and feel of the upper part of the centre-console. The only complaint here is that the knobs for the AC could have been of better quality.
Equipment wise you do get a lot of bang for your buck. You get steering mounted audio controls , USB compatible audio system which does sound good! The instruments (with LCD display) , show information like the outside temperature , driving range etc.
With summer just starting to reveal its true colours , here was a good chance to test the Ertiga’s air conditioning system and we are happy to report that it kept us chilled in the Delhi heat. Plus what is also comforting is that the 2nd row gets its separate AC with controls.
Being an MPV space is of paramount importance and don’t let the fact that the Ertiga is smaller than the Innova fool you , Maruti has squeezed out a lot of space in the Ertiga. For starters the 6-way adjustable front seats are large and comfy with good headroom and legroom. The 2nd row is also comfortable with enough legroom and adequate thigh-support though three people at the back can be a bit of a squeeze. There is a centre armrest , sliding/reclining seatbacks , adjustable headrests , cup holders. The 2nd row also features a 60:40 spilt for convenience.
The Ertiga has a 5+2 ‘Flexi-Seating’ which means it has a 3rd row of seats and life in the 3rd row is not claustrophobic at all - in-fact since you are not sitting in the ‘knees-up position’ , for short journeys it is fine. For easy access to the 3rd row , the 2nd row seatback folds down and slides forward. Luggage space is good too as with all the seats up , the luggage space is 135 litres and goes all the way upto 735 litres.
The Ertiga being an MPV means lots of people will be travelling and that means lots of storage places are required and the Ertiga has them. The glove box is adequate in size plus there is a dashboard rack , centre console cup holder , dashboard cup holder , front and rear door pockets , front passenger seatback pocket and a luggage box. Phew!
Engine , gearbox
The Ertiga has two engine options , a new 1.4 litre petrol and the much loved 1.3 litre diesel. Let’s deal with petrol first , this K-series engine makes 95 PS at 6000 rpm and has max torque of 130 Nm@4000 rpm. It feels punchy and eager to rev. At City speeds the engine feels good and performance delivery is fine but once you start putting in some speed it feels strained. But for cruising it is fine and any which ways , you see a petrol Ertiga full of passengers being driven in a very spirited manner – this vehicle is meant to ferry families in comfort. After the petrol , it was time for the diesel. This DDiS diesel engine makes 90 PS at 4000 rpm and has max torque of 200 Nm at 1750 rpm. At first there is some turbo-lag but once it frees up and the turbo spools up , the performance is very good and it is quite quick for a MPV.
The 5-speed gearbox is fun to use and it shifts are accurate and easy to slot. The clutch is also on the light side and coupled with a perfect driving position , the Ertiga is easier to drive than some of the other MPV’s. Plus when negotiating some tight turns the turning radius of 5.2 m is quite good too.
Fuel efficiency is very important and being a Maruti it is even more so. The Ertiga does impress with a figure of 16 kmpl for the petrol and 20 kmpl for the diesel , both being ARAI certified and certainly miles ahead of the other MUVs / MPVs.
Suspension , ride and handling
The suspension of the Ertiga features MacPherson Strut at the front and Torsion Beam at the rear. Thanks to a monocoque chassis both the ride and the handling are impressive. The ride is not choppy and bumps are swallowed effortlessly , we took the Ertiga on an uneven terrain and it performed effortlessly. Even the really sharp bumps and potholes are dealt well. Time to up the ante and go , er , corner hunting.
The Ertiga has a gross vehicle weight of 1760 kg (for petrol) and 1845 kg (for diesel) and it is light on its feet.
The Ertiga did impress me but let’s face it is not meant for an enthusiast but what it does , is handle with finesse. Thanks to the monocoque chassis again it feels well balanced and there is less amounts of body roll. It definitely beats the other MPV’s in this department. Refinement levels were a mixed bag though as there was noise coming in the cabin but it is not intrusive and you will get over it quickly.
The steering though was light but that will add to the car’s user friendliness as it will be easy to drive in traffic and while parking. The braking performance of the Ertiga also proved to be satisfactory as it has ABS with Brake Assist and EBD.
Verdict
The Ertiga has three variants each for diesel and petrol. The prices however are no less shocking! The base LXi (P) and LDi (D) are priced at Rs 5.89 lakh and Rs 7.30 lakh , midway through the range the VXi (P) and the VDi (D) are priced at Rs 6.60 lakh and Rs 7.90 lakh and the top of the line ZXi (P) and ZDi (D) are priced at Rs 7.30 lakh and 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Whichever way you look at it the Ertiga is stunning value for money. In our opinion the variant that makes the most sense is the VXi (P) and the VDi (D) variants as they are well equipped with features like the rear AC , radio/CD/USB player. Of course the ZXi (P) and ZDi (D) variants are the top of the line variants and have features like steering mounted audio controls and driver and passenger airbags.
But the big question is should you buy the petrol or diesel. Well the Ertiga in my opinion works best with the diesel. The new petrol engine is more fun to drive and loves to rev but for all practical purposes , it is the diesel that we are leaning towards thanks to its efficiency mainly and let’s face it , most demand will be of the diesel only.
In the end Maruti seems to have done it! The Ertiga successfully combines the attributes of a car with those of a MPV. It is easy to drive and does not feel huge in the city which is typical of all other MPV’s. The driving manners are car like and you forget that you are in a MPV sometimes as it just feels like a big hatch to drive! Plus it is practical and will comfortably seat your family. So the Ertiga is a perfect everyday car and a weekend car all rolled into one! It seems the Ertiga is yet another hit from India’s favourite car maker and should keep their finance department happy with numbers rolling in easily!
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