2015 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Facelift Spotted Testing in India Ahead of October Launch[Photos]

Ahead of the expected launch in October, the new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has started testing on Indian roads. The folks at indianhoods.com managed to take spy pictures of the test mule plying on the Greater Noida Expressway sporting Haryana State registration plates.

Maruti Suzuki has its manufacturing facility in Haryana and test vehicles usually have number plates with HR tag. The pictures also make it clear that the vehicle is undergoing the final test before the launch, which is expected in October.

The new Ertiga was unveiled at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in August featuring cosmetic upgrades. The front fascia sports an embossing three-slat chrome grill. The fog lamps will get chrome housing and a newly-designed bumper. A horizontal chrome slat above the registration plate and a set of reflectors on the bumper are the changes in the rear.

The latest spy pictures show a set of dark-coloured alloy wheels, which wasn't the part of the Ertiga shown at Indonesia. The test mule also sports rear parking sensors.

When launched, the new Ertiga is likely to get features such as engine start/stop button, new upholstery, electric folding mirrors, keyless entry and SmartPlay infotainment system.

It will carry over the same 1.4-litre K Series petrol engine producing 94bhp and 130Nm. The 1.3 multi-jet diesel engine developing 89bhp and 200Nm of torque will be mated to five-speed manual transmission.

The diesel engine will be equipped with the SHVS mild hybrid system, which debuted with the Ciaz Hybrid launched on 1 September in the country.

With the new hybrid system in place, the new Ertiga diesel is expected to return higher fuel efficiency compared to the current ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 20.77kmpl. The increase in fuel efficiency will give a slight edge over its rivals.

Following the lines of the Ciaz Hybird that dropped price by making use of the Government of India's FAME scheme, which offers incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles up to Rs 29,000, the Ertiga Hybrid will also be priced slightly lower than the current models.