The current-gen Maruti Suzuki Celerio has been in the market for seven long years and its now due an update. At the time, the Celerio was the most affordable car in the country to offer an AMT transmission option. The second-gen Celerio has been spied testing on our roads on several occasions earlier but now, it has finally been spotted testing without camouflage. All test mules seen before came heavily wrapped in camouflage.
The next-gen Maruti Suzuki Celerio will be
based on the Heartect platform, the same that underpins the third-gen WagonR.
The new Celerio will thus be larger in terms of dimensions in all regards. In
terms of design, the next-gen Celerio seems more evolutionary than
revolutionary. This new spy image only gives us a look at the side and rear
profile of the Celerio and in first glance, it does not appear all that
different. We still do not get a look at the face of the new Celerio in these
images.
Interestingly, the next-gen Celerio will
be using old-school door handles in place of the pull-type ones that was found
in the current-gen car. The new Celerio appears quite rounded at the rear and
the roofline has a slightly swooping effect which makes the rear window appear
a little smaller. The new Celerio will come with a new wraparound tail light at
the rear and the lower bumper too has been reprofiled and even houses a reflector.
This test mule was however only wearing temporary steel wheels on test.
Previous spy shots had revealed that the
next-gen Maruti Suzuki Celerio will boast of completely new interiors. The
dashboard will feature a new layout and the highlight will be Maruti’s 7-inch
SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system. With increased dimensions,
the next-gen Celerio will also be roomier than the outgoing car. Other new
features could include a revised instrument cluster, new upholstery, automatic
climate control and more.
Under the hood, the upcoming Celerio will
continue to be powered by the current Celerio's 1.0-litre petrol engine that
produces 67 hp and 90 Nm of torque. Maruti Suzuki could also add the 83hp 1.2L
petrol engine from the WagonR along with a CNG option to the mix as well.
Transmission options will continue to include a 5-speed manual gearbox and a
5-speed AMT. The current Celerio is priced from INR 4.41 lakh to INR 5.68 lakh
(ex-showroom) and the next-gen model will certainly carry a premium. Expected
to launch in the coming months, the new Celerio will continue its rivalry with
the likes of the Tata Tiago and the Hyundai Santro.