The second-gen Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has been on sale for a few months in a single, seven-seat, three-row configuration. In the coming weeks, however, a six-seat version of the Ertiga will also go on sale. The version in question will be the new range-topper and will be pitched as a premium model. And in line with its positioning, this top-spec Ertiga is likely to be retailed exclusively from Maruti’s premium Nexa sales network.
The biggest and most obvious change on the premium Maruti Suzuki Ertiga will be the inclusion of captain’s chairs in the middle row, in place of the standard three-passenger bench seat. MPVs like the Toyota Innova Crysta, Renault Lodgy and Mahindra Marazzo also offer this configuration. According to a source, the new Ertiga six-seater is also expected to get a more premium interior option with faux leather upholstery instead of the fabric seats that are currently offered on the seven-seat Ertiga.
Seats and upholstery aside, the new version could also be the first of the Ertigas to get Suzuki’s in-house developed 1.5-litre diesel engine. The 1.5 engine will eventually be rolled out to the rest of the Ertiga line-up to replace the ageing 1.3 DDiS engine. As is known, the 1.3 engine will not be upgraded to meet the BS-VI emission norms that come into effect in 2020. The move to roll out the long-awaited 1.5 engine early is in line with the Maruti Suzuki’s recent announcement stating its intentions to update most of its range to BS-VI-compliant engines by the end of 2019 to avoid any spillover in terms of unsold stock when BS-VI kicks in in 2020.
CYRUS DHABHAR
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