Maruti Celerio diesel review, road test

A year and a half on, you don’t really need an introduction to the Celerio as a car, so we’ll keep it brief. It was added to Maruti’s burgeoning hatchback line-up between the Alto K10 and the Swift, and alongside the practical, popular but rather boxy Wagon R. Its biggest claim to fame though was its interior space and its affordable and frugal AMT autobox, something that’s now catching on with other manufacturers too. However, the Celerio never did quite as well as Maruti perhaps hoped, with the similarly priced Wagon R consistently outselling it.

This new diesel version is sure to bring the Celerio back into the spotlight, and give it a much better shot at the sales charts in our diesel-loving market. Not only is it the most affordable diesel car in India, it also claims to be the most fuel-efficient, with a 27.62kpl ARAI rating. The engine is very significant for Maruti and Suzuki, as it is their first-ever in-house-developed oil-burner. It is the first step in the company’s independence from Fiat (or any other supplier) for its diesel engines. This motor will undoubtedly find its way into other models in the range and will eventually spawn a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder version that will replace the 1.3 Multijet motor in larger Marutis. There’s a lot riding on this car then, so let’s dig a little deeper.

There are absolutely no visual differentiators between this ZDi variant and its petrol equivalent. The styling errs on the conservative side, with only a few flourishes that stand out. The headlights and the part-chrome grille go well together, the 14-inch alloys on this top trim look sporty, and the crease along the doors livens up the sides, but those aside, the overall shape is very ordinary.

The monocoque chassis with MacPherson struts at the front and a non-independent torsion beam setup at the rear is par for the course. What is really impressive is the weight, or lack thereof. Even in this fully loaded ZDi trim, the Celerio diesel weighs just 900kg. But then, it’s also a whole 70kg more than the petrol ZXi, and that’s not only down to the engine, but also to additional bodyshell stiffening and beefier front suspension.