Suzuki Ritz for India approved by ICAT

Haryana’s International Center of Automotive Technology (ICAT) has approved the upcoming Suzuki Ritz for India.

Photo: Suzuki Ritz

This means that Maruti can now launch the Ritz in India.

The vehicle will be called Suzuki Ritz in India; abroad, the same vehicle would be called the Suzuki Splash.

The Ritz would be positioned anove the Suzuki A-Star and just below the Suzuki Swift. There is potential for some cannibalisation of the sales of the Suzuki Swift for sure.

Recently, we had carried a story saying that the Suzuki Ritz will have an April launch. Last year, we said that the Ritz wold be launched in 2009; looks like the car is on track for launch.

The Riz would likely come with a KB series engine in two guises: A 1.2 liter petrol, and a 1.3 liter CRDi diesel. Normally Maruti Suzuki prefers to launch their cars in petrol version only in the beginning, and then add a diesel option later. So far, rumours are that in the case of the Suzuki Ritz, both versions would be launched simultaneously.

The Ritz is very nicely styled, and looks big for a small hatch. ABS, airbags and brake assist would be present, though Suzuki may decide to ditch them for the low-end version of the car.

Maruti Suzuki has a pretty bad deal when it tries to launch anything in the top end of the market. The Grand Vitara and SX4 sedan are examples of sales never kicking into high gear – and the SX4 is not even top-end! However, Maruti is king at the low-end of the market, and from the Suzuki Swift down, they are unbeatable. There is every chance that the Suzuki Ritz would maintain that reputation.

The rear door and the back of the Suzuki Ritz look similar to the A-star with that tapering rear window and a kink in the hatch. However, the Ritz would likely look better in the flesh than in the photos, just like in the case of the A-Star. The front design though is modern and has traces of the Swift.