Maruti Launches Celerio Diesel

India's largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki today unveiled the diesel version of its latest hatchback, the Celerio. Powered by a brand new 2-cylinder Diesel engine - the first Diesel engine developed in-house by the brand - the Celerio aims to enter a new segment targeting the Chevrolet Beat.

The biggest selling point of the Celerio diesel has to be its claimed fuel efficiency of 27.62km/l, which makes its the most fuel efficient car presently on sale in India. Called the DDiS 125, the engine produces 47bhp and 125Nm of torque which is what its name is based on. The engine is all-aluminium and has been developed at a cost of 900 crores and features 97% localisation.

The Celerio is available in four versions and they are priced as follows:
LDi - 4.65 lakhs
VDi - 4.95 lakhs
ZDi - 5.25 lakhs
ZDi (Opt) - 5.71 lakhs (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

Interestingly, given the slowly growing focus on safety in the Indian market, the ZDi version of the Celerio diesel features ABS and single airbag as standard, while the optional version offer twin airbags.