Maruti-Suzuki Ignis
In the last report, I had discussed about the Ignis’ suspension and gearbox, two aspects that stood out during the highway journey I undertook. Although the gearbox has really been the focal point of my experience, the engine that it’s connected to, deserves to be mentioned.
An 82bhp, 1.2-litre engine with variable valve timing, that’s a near perfect recipe for an entry-level lukewarm hatch. Powering 860kg of metal and plastic, these specifications managed a 5.7 second run to 60kmph and 13.3 seconds to hit 100kmph when we tested the car. But on the road, under regular driving conditions, there’s much more that this engine has to offer. The highlight being 113Nm of torque that makes it tractable in crawling traffic and being able to hold a higher gear at lower revs. It is also a trait that the gearbox is programmed to follow, thus the quick, prioritised upshifts. Smooth, refined but when in the mood, a hard dab on the go faster pedal sees an almost surprising change of character. This alter ego makes itself apparent only post 4,000rpm when the engine starts to come on its own. Go at higher rpms in the lower gears and you’re also rewarded with a spory engine note too.
Rapidly building up pace with fourth gear bringing out the maximum top-end performance while fifth helps cruise at high speeds. But most of this is entirely dependent on how the AMT gearbox is
THE ENGINE’S HIGHLIGHT BEING 113NM OF TORQUE THAT MAKES IT TRACTABLE IN CRAWLING TRAFFIC AND BEING ABLE TO HOLD A HIGHER GEAR AT LOWER REVS
used by the driver to extract that power. Otherwise, you could even mistake the car to have lack-lustre, efficiency-chasing performance. Which by the way, is the engine’s split-personality. This one prompts the gearbox to up-shift as quickly as possible with average consumption going up to 16kmpl in city use. If anything, I would’ve liked a bit more smoothness and quickness during these shifts and an addition of a sport mode/button would’ve been nice. It’s a car aimed at millennials and advertised as a fun machine so, why not.
Of the months gone past, the Ignis has aged like most modern Maruti-Suzuki cars. Reliability has been unquestionable with no component failure to report of. Mechanically too, only the brakes and clutch are showing signs of fade after the wear and tear that a crowded metropolis can induce in 17,000km. Outside of the metro, the Ignis has performed well with ample storage in the boot as well as just enough cubby holes to store essentials like phones, water bottles and knick-knacks.
Light-throw of the halogen headlights could’ve been better but there are a plethora of aftermarket lighting options available to improve on that front. So should you put your money down on it? Most definitely. It’s a new car, fresh in design, has ample features on offer and gives you choices of engine and gearbox combination to suit your needs.