Maruti Suzuki launches Stingray

Maruti Suzuki launched a sportier, more upmarket version of its Wagon R compact car called the Stingray at its brand centre in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi today.

The name Stingray is more commonly associated with the Chevrolet Corvette sports car's second generation model as far as auto enthusiasts are concerned.

This was jokingly alluded to at the press conference by reporters who asked Maruti Suzuki executives if the company planned to launch an affordable sports car sometime in the future.

Dismissing the idea of an affordable sports car as an "oxymoron" the company moved on to matters regarding its latest compact car offering.

The Stingray is aimed at, judging by its promotional material, city-dwelling young adults and is available in three variants, all of which are powered by the company's 998 cc, 3-cylinder, K-Series engine. The power unit is listed as developing 68 ps at 6,200 rpm and a maximum torque figure of 90 NM at 3,500 rpm. The car's claimed fuel economy is 20.51 kmpl.

The Delhi ex-showroom of the Stingray's three variants - LXi, VXi and VXi (O) - are R 4,09,999, 4,37,999 and 4,66,999 respectively.

The top-end VXi (O) is the only variant in which both ABS and driver's side airbag are listed as being available on the specification sheet provided by Maruti Suzuki.

The VXi (O) also comes equipped with a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and electrically adjustable side-view mirrors.

The Stingray has been designed to look more aggressive than its best-selling Wagon R counterpart and will become the ninth compact model in Maruti Suzuki's car line-up.