Will the Kizashi be an ice-breaker for Maruti Suzuki??

The Kizashi is debuting this year by February, but is MSIL really prepared to take on the D-segment. ZigWheels conducted a survey to know what a premium segment buyer wants.

Automobile manufacturers in India now have a stiff neck-to-neck competition. While car makers have been focused with 2011 for capturing the small car segment where Maruti can be called the champion for the compact car segment, MSIL now wants to find a spot in the more upmarket, aspirational section.

Badges can win it all here if their product is aimed right at what the customer wants. Concerning a vehicle coming from a company 28 years in the market, Maruti specifically knows what it is getting into. It could be the stepping stone for Maruti’s next ventures or a bad dream like the Vitara.

While talking about the customers of the D-segment market, where the buyer may or may not be well educated, but is almost always well informed on the set of wheels he/she drives. “I'm very sorry sir, we don’t have …”, this line (or excuse) will not work for this segment.

Here the customers are demanding, budding and want everything in place for the money they put in. It is more of an investment for this class of buyer and it is certainly more than just buying a product. The car here has to be extremely good-looking, extremely powerful, extremely tidy, in short, the extremes of everything. This segment is a brutal test of all aspects that come with a car. Even a single compromise on quality standards would not only be bad for the sales figures of the car, but, for the reputation of the manufacturer as well.

The highest number of customers lies in the small car segment, but, with this segment, where the numbers are relatively low, they want the best in looks, fit and finish, performance fuel efficiency. Not only that, even the after sales cannot be compromised in this segment, where an exclusive treatment is demanded by the buyer.

Skoda Yeti Vs BMW X5

SUVs are not just about driving, but lording over the rest of the road users. But their massive size-which has been their trademark-has always bothered us. And that's where the Yeti differs. It's just like a big-boned hatchback which can do anything that a full-blown SUV can. So let's sit back and find out if it is capable of achieving all that its bigger competitors can.



Space wise the Yeti can easily seat five adults and what's interesting is its Varioflex space management feature. What it does is let you tilt back the reverse seats to such an extent that they can be simply folded or even detached completely to give you loads of extra space.

Powering this machine is a 2.0 litre diesel motor, the same engine that propels Laura but some tweaks have been done to achieve a max power output of 140 bhp. Adding more bite is its stupendous torque of 320 Nm which can be banked upon from as low as 1750 rpm. The best thing about the Yeti is that it's as easy to manoeuvre as a sedan. Due to its short wheelbase and a high ground clearance it can also easily tackle off road activities to quite an extent. But what takes the cake is its compact size which let's you carve your own way through narrow mountain trails which can be a hassle in a full-blown SUV.



The fuel efficiency on clogged city roads came in close proximity of double digit figure; no mean feat from an engine that whips the speedometer needle to 100 km/ph in 5.5 seconds, with a V8 power unit featuring twin-power turbo and direct injection delivering a torque of 600 Nm at 1,750-4 ,500 rpm. The eight-speed transmission is assisted with 'servotronic' steering assistance that gave us the comfort of driving a sedan. Add to it the wider tyres for a better grip and the refurbished alloys with more spokes to give it a rigidity on tardy Indian roads.

There are improved interiors with lighter shades of colours in its Nevada leather upholstery and BMW has added optional third-row seats to accommodate up to seven persons with ease storage space. Besides, there are minor changes with iDrive system which controls the entertainment and information functions. Clearly, X5 is trying to race past Audi Q7, with a reinvented blend of sportiness and aggression. With its signature kidney grille and dual round headlights, slightly cut off at the top, have been re-compassed to makes the car more striking, the X5 now can boasts of an expressive front that may force its global arch-rival , the Audi Q7, to come up with something better.