Maruti Udyog’s new lauch is the Zen Estilo. The new baby is actually Suzuki MR Wagon in Japan other few countries. It does have a similar look of Daewoo Matiz (Chevy Matiz). It is genuinely difficult to find a bad angle in this hatchback. There are bits from WagonR and Swift. The three spoke steering, electric mirrors (Vxi), many cup and can holders, Instrumentation similar to WagonR but the engine is insulated and reasonably quiet. The top model provides a very attractive and classy looking Kenwood CD player, plus a head unit that for once does not jar with the ambiance of the Dashboard.
Because it’s built on the same wheelbase and uses the same seats, legroom and general space are almost identical to that of the new WagonR.The rear seat are comfortable and under thigh support is also decent but its nowhere near the cars in the same class like the Indica, Palio or even the Santro. But like wagonR it can clearly swallow more luggage. The new Zen comes with a choice of 145 or 155 tyres, depending on the model.The new Zen comes with an eight colour line-up offering vivid and chromatic colours. The company has chosen interesting colours like Purple Fusion, Champagne Beige, Virgin Blue and Olive Green for Zen, to go with the car’s stylish image.
The first Suzuki MR Wagon was first down to the world at an auto show in Tokoyo in 1999. At that time, it had a mid-mounted engine with a monform body. The car-gazers cheered, and two years later, the Suzuki MR Wagon was ready to roll. When it came out, however, the MR Wagon retained the same shape, but had a front-mounted engine.
It was in 1993 that maruti launched its second car, the Zen. The Zen tried to capitalise on the runaway success of the Maruti 800, but it did not sell well initially. The high price was a deterrent. The 50 bhps of power was not tantalising either. In 1998, the Diesel Zen was launched, which spurred some buyers. Still, the car’s price did not attract many buyers. In 2000, the company launched the Zen with MPFI and more power, which made it a value-for-money car. Maruti then attempted to introduce the “Carbon” and “Steel”, both export surplus cars.
SPECS
Price - 3.26-3.86 lacs (ex-Mumbai)
Power - 64bhp@6200rpm
Torque - 8.56kgm@3500 rpm
Engine - 4 cyls in-line, 1061cc
Gearbox - 5-speed manual
Fuel tank - 30 litres
Length - 3495mm
Width - 1496mm
Height - 1595mm
Wheelbase - 2360mm
Weight - 876kg
Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with torsion-type roll control device.
Rear Suspension - Coil Spring, gas filled shock absorbers with three-link rigid trailing arm.
Front Brakes - Ventilated Disc.
Rear Brakes - Drum
Tyres - 155/65 R13
