Maruti Suzuki WagonR diesel in the works: Report

After tasting success with the Celerio diesel, Maruti Suzuki is reportedly planning to add diesel options to its popular hatchback. According to emerging reports, India's largest car-maker is planning to add diesel engine to the WagonR hatchback soon.

The diesel engine in question will be the same one that works in the Celerio diesel, as reports CarBlogIndia. The E08A 793cc, 2-cylinder diesel unit develops 47bhp and 125Nm of peak torque in the Celerio and the figures are expected to be identical in the WagonR. The engine claimed fuel efficiency of 27.62kmpl in the Celerio.

Using tried and tested 793cc engine from the Celerio diesel in the Wagon R would mean a starting price of around Rs. 4.2 lakh. At that price point, the WagonR diesel will be one of the cheapest diesel cars to be sold in India. The WagonR is already a best-seller and is consistent in top four of the monthly best-selling cars list by the ARAI for quite long time. The addition of the diesel variant will further boost the sales of the popular hatchback.

Reports also suggest Maruti Suzuki may consider AMT transmission for the WagonR diesel. Maruti Suzuki was the first company that introduced AMT transmission in the country in its Celerio. If the company goes ahead with the plan of WagonR diesel AMT, it will be a compelling case in the segment and it will have an edge over its rivals.

The launch of WagonR diesel is expected by the end of 2016 or early 2017.