Suzuki Ignis UK Prices Revealed; Launch In January

Maruti Suzuki has been playing hide and seek with the Indian market. Ever since it was showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, the Ignis was pegged to be launched during the festive season (October) this year. However, after much confusion, it was decided that the micro-SUV will shine in the Indian sun early next year. The prices for the European-spec version have been revealed and the hatchback will go on sale in Europe from January 2017. For the UK, the Ignis is priced around Rs 8.6 lakh (£9,999) for the base variant and around Rs 11.25 lakh (£12,999) for the top-spec variant. Along with the UK, the hatchback will also go on sale in the Republic of Ireland from January. 

The Rs 8.6 lakh price tag should not worry prospective Indian buyers since the UK-spec car, though looking quite similar as the Indian version, will be quite different from what we will get in India. By different, we mean that the India hatchback will go through a lot of cost-cutting exercises which will make it a couple of lakhs cheaper. Since car safety norms aren't as stringent in India as the ones in the UK, most of these cost-cutting measures will pertain to the reduction of safety features. 

For example, the UK-spec Ignis which recently received three stars in the European NCAP crash tests had four airbags as standard. In India, the car is likely to come with only two airbags as standard. Also, a lot of features – like SHVS hybrid tech, ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ 4WD, wheel arch extensions, 11 colours with full personalisation options for exterior and interiors, dual camera brake support and cruise control – won't be present in the hatchback in India. 

In terms of features, just because the Indian car misses out on the bells and whistles of the UK model doesn't mean it will shy away from gizmos altogether. Outside, the car will feature projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels and macho boxy styling. Inside, the cabin will be brand new. The dual-tone dashboard will feature a floating type Suzuki SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, brand-new capsule-like automatic AC controls, highlight colours on door panels and gearbox housing, and a new steering wheel with a fresh instrument cluster.  

As for the engines, the Indian model will borrow the engine line-up from the Baleno, which means it will have a 1.2-litre 84PS petrol and a 1.3-litre 75PS diesel engine. Both these engines have been present in the Indian market for a long time and have fared well with the buyers thanks to decent mileage and power. 

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In India, the Ignis will be launched in January next year and will be sold via the Nexa range of showrooms. Being priced between the Swift and the Baleno, the Ignis will sport a price tag of around Rs 5.5 lakh for the base trim and Rs 8 lakh for the top-end variant.