After having been leaked, the second-gen Ertiga, Maruti Suzuki’s MPV, has been officially unveiled at the 2018 Indonesian motor show in Jakarta.
The new model is longer and wider than the one currently on sale in India, despite having the same 2,740mm wheelbase. In terms of exterior design, the all-new MPV gets a new nose section, including slimmer headlamps, new tail-lamps and a new D-pillar. Underpinned by the brand’s Heartect platform (shared with cars like the Swift, Dzire, Ignis and Baleno), the new model is expected to be lighter and stiffer than the outgoing one. This could mean improved fuel efficiency, better performance and a safer drive.
For Indonesia, the second-gen Ertiga is powered by a 104hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed torque converter automatic transmission. In the former, Suzuki claims a fuel economy of 18.06kpl, while the latter is said to deliver 16.73kpl. Braking duties are carried out by ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear, while the 15-inch alloy wheels (no upsizing here) are shod in 185/65-R15 tyres.
The insides of the Ertiga unveiled at the motor show are similar to those on other cars from the same stable – the instrument panel and flat-bottomed steering have been borrowed from the Swift hatchback. The dual-tone beige and black dash houses vertically aligned AC vents, a new 6.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and cooled cupholders. While the Indonesia-spec model won’t get automatic climate control, images of the model spied testing in India show that the version coming to India will include this feature.
While the Ertiga is considered a rival to the Toyota Innova Crysta, the latter has moved more upmarket with its pricing and features in our country. This has left a niche in the affordable MPV segment. Maruti Suzuki hopes to fill this niche with the second-gen Ertiga, which is expected to undercut the Toyota on price. Expect a Diwali launch for the model, which will also rival the likes of the upcoming Mahindra MPV, codenamed U321.