Maruti Suzuki Celerio diesel launched at Rs 4.65 lakh

There really hasn’t been much of a choice of affordable diesel hatchbacks in the country, mostly because diesels are popular in the premium hatchback segment and above. But as distances in cities have been increasing, the demand for frugal runabouts has risen. The Celerio diesel, launched today at Rs 4.65 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, caters to these growing set of thrifty customers and will take on the Chevrolet Beat. But the smaller capacity engine and Maruti’s economies of scale means the Celerio will be a lot cheaper to buy.

Powering the Celerio diesel is a 793cc two-cylinder turbo diesel pumping out 48PS of peak power and 125Nm of peak torque. What it lacks on the performance front, more than makes up in terms of efficiency. The Celerio has an ARAI certified efficiency figure of 27.62kmpl, making it the most efficient diesel car in the country. The Celerio diesel also weighs a relatively light 880kgs and comes with 235litres of boot space and 165mm of ground clearance making it a pretty good package. The Celerio diesel will be offered in four trim variants just like th petrol version. The cheapest on offer will be the LDi variant followed by the VDi and the ZDi along with the ZDi (optional). 

Although this new diesel engine will make its debut in Celerio, the real impact will only happen when it gets plonked into two of India's alrgest selling cars, the Alto and the Wagon R. We also expect an AMT variant in all future offerings which in turn will further boost Maruti's sales figures. The Celerio diesel will go up against the likes of the Beat diese and the Hyundai Grand i10 in India.