Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Performance Explained

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is a small hatchback sedan that is perfect for daytime commuting and family use. It's recently equipped with a 1.2-litre Z-Series petrol engine and a choice of mechanical or automatic transmission. For those looking to cut down on their fuel costs a factory-fitted CNG option will also be available. Let's take a closer look at the engine, the transmission, driving capability and claimed fuel efficiency of the Dzire.

Engine Specifications

Dzire's engine is a three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine of 1,197cc. It produces 81.58 PS of power at 5,700 rpm and 111.7 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. There are two gear transmissions available; a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed Auto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission.

The CNG version puts out 69.75 PS and 101.8 Nm of torque and has a 5-speed manual transmission. The CNG version has been designed for those concerned with running cost, although the petrol version has more power.

What is the Dzire's fuel consumption in urban driving?What is the fuel economy of the Dzire in city driving?

The engine of the Dzire is not build to be a sports car, but is geared towards everyday driving. It has a naturally aspirated design, which delivers power gradually, making it ideal for everyday driving and standard traffic conditions.

The manual gearbox gives the driver the choice of gears as and when required, and the AMT option decreases the work involved in changing gears while driving in stop and go traffic. The overall performance emphasis is on practicality and useability instead of quick acceleration.

Highway Performance

The Dzire is ideal for on and off-road trips or cruising at a constant speed. On the manual version, however, overtaking may need an extra downshift when driving behind slower vehicles, particularly if there are passengers or luggage in the car.

The engine is of a naturally aspirated type so the acceleration is gradual. Frequent bursts of power should be taken at a safe speed and at an appropriate time when overtaking. The Dzire is more designed for leisurely highway driving than for sporty driving.

Which is better: Manual or AMT?

The manual gearbox provides more control over gear changes with 5 gears. It's useful when driving on inclines and when preparing for passing, in case it is needed, the driver can select a lower gear.

The five-speed AMT provides the benefits of automatic gear changes, especially in city driving. But there is a noticeable gear change when accelerating, similar to an auto-manual, or automatic CVT.

For drivers who prefer a hands-on experience, the manual version might be the better choice, but for those who value convenience in their regular driving routines, the AMT could be the ideal option.

Mileage And Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency is a key aspect of the Dzire's value. The car is claimed to give a mileage of 24.79 km per litre in petrol-manual transmission and 25.71 km per litre in petrol-AMT version, according to Maruti Suzuki claims. The claimed efficiency of the CNG-manual version is 33.73 km/kg.

These are manufacturer-proclaimed numbers, which are not an absolute promise of real world performance. Actual efficiency may vary with traffic conditions, driving style, road conditions and vehicle loading.

Verdict

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is centered around utility, simplicity and fuel economy. It uses a petrol motor, which works well for frequent urban and rural road trips, or a manual and AMT transmission for those who prefer a more hands-on approach to driving. CNG version is available for those who wish to deal with fuel costs.

The Dzire, in general, can be recommended for everyday family sedan driving. If you're seeking rapid acceleration, you should do some research on other vehicles, and you'll want to test drive it before finalizing your choice.