Pic Source: whatthefuel.in
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R could be in line for another major update. A heavily camouflaged test mule of the popular hatchback has been spotted testing on Indian roads, suggesting that Maruti Suzuki is working on an updated version of the Wagon R. While the spy shots do not reveal major design changes, the more interesting development could be under the bonnet. The Wagon R is now one of the few Maruti models still using the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder K-Series petrol engine.
The test mule appears to retain the familiar tall-boy silhouette of the current Wagon R. The vertical tail-lamps and overall proportions look similar to the existing model, although the camouflage makes it difficult to identify the exact changes. Reports suggest that revisions to the front bumper and grille could be on the cards, but this could be more of a facelift than an entirely new-generation model.
The bigger talking point is the Z-Series engine. Maruti has been steadily moving away from its older K-Series petrol engines, and the recently updated Baleno is the latest example. It now uses the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Z12E engine, which produces 82 PS and 112.4 Nm. In the Baleno, it is offered with a five-speed manual and AMT, while the CNG version also uses the new engine.
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This makes the Wagon R a natural candidate for the same powertrain. The current 1.2-litre Wagon R uses a four-cylinder engine producing around 91 PS and 113.7 Nm, while the smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder K-Series engine continues to power the entry-level petrol and CNG versions. If Maruti does introduce the Z12E, there would be a small reduction in outright power, but the focus would likely shift towards better efficiency and lower emissions.
The Z12E has already demonstrated its efficiency credentials in the Baleno. With the new engine, the hatchback returns 23.80 kmpl with the manual and 24.77 kmpl with the AMT, while its CNG version claims 33.61 km/kg. Maruti says these figures represent improvements over the previous powertrain.
Also Read: New Maruti Suzuki Baleno; Top 5 Things You Should Know
Interestingly, the Wagon R’s CNG version could also benefit from the new engine. Maruti’s latest Z12E-powered Baleno CNG uses the same basic engine architecture and returns 33.61 km/kg. The Wagon R is already known for its 34.05 km/kg claimed efficiency with the existing 1.0-litre S-CNG powertrain, so simply replacing the engine would not necessarily guarantee a major improvement.
There could also be some feature and safety upgrades with the facelift. The current Wagon R already gets features such as a 7-inch touchscreen, steering-mounted controls, six airbags, ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors, depending on the variant. However, the spy shots alone do not confirm what equipment changes Maruti has planned.
