By Amanda Mfuphi

Suzuki has unveiled the updated Suzuki Dzire which has a refreshed exterior design and more specifications and safety features. The Dzire is Suzuki’s compact sedan that shares a platform and mechanical underpinnings with the popular Suzuki Swift, and it is one of Suzki’s best-selling cars in India.

Exterior Design

Upfront, the new Suzuki Dzire gets a redesigned grille and front bumper, which combine the grille and flared lower air intake into one double-volume hexagonal grille with black number plate mounting. The new grille is finished in silver on the GA speciation level and in chrome on the GL models, with the latter also offering similar chrome highlights in the new, larger foglamp bezels on a reshaped new-look bumper. The GL model is distinguishable from the lower GA model through chrome detailing, front fog lapms, body-coloured door handles and integrated mud flaps as standard which adds a true premium feel to the vehicle. Buyers of the GL model will now also be treated to new 15-inch alloy wheels in place of the wheel covers that are still found on the GA model.

Suzuki has also added two new colours to the Dzire range, namely Premium Silver Metallic and Phoenix Red Pearl. These join the Sherwood Brown Metallic, Arctic White Pearl, Oxford Blue Metallic and Magma Grey Metallic to offer customers a comprehensive choice of colours.

Interior and safety

Inside, Suzuki has introduced new-look upholstery, which creates a premium feeling in the cabin.

In terms of safety, the Dzire features two airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assistance. All models also have integrated side impact protection bars in both the front and rear doors, a high-level stop lamp and ISOFIX child seat mountings on both sides of the rear bench.

Both the GA and GL specification models in the new Dzire now benefit from Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) at no extra cost.

Engine and Power

The Dzire range will retain the very popular Suzuki K12M engine, which is also available on models such as the Swift and the Ignis. The Dzire is thus powered by a four-cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine which pushes out 61 kW of power and 113 Nm of torque. At present, only the GL model fitted with the K12M engine and a five-speed manual transmission is available. It will be joined soon by the same mechanical configuration in a GA specification level and a GL-version fitted with a five-speed automated manual transmission.

The low weight not only benefits vehicle performance but ensures that the Dzire uses the least possible fuel, which has been tested at 4.9 litres per 100 km in a combined testing cycle.

Price

The 1.2 GL with manual transmission is available immediately at R196,900. Prices of the updated Suzuki Dzire include a promotional five-year / 200,000 km comprehensive mechanical warranty and a service plan for two years or 30,000 km.