Harmaan: So Bert, we’ve got the new Wagon R’s with us this month. Do you think it’s any funkier? I quite like the itsy bitsy chrome on the front grille, though I think the designers overdid the headlamps. Nice tush, though.
Bert: Sure it’s got more character than it did before; at least the gawkiness is gone.
Harmaan: Yes, and on the inside, I like the aluminium accents on the steering wheel in the VXi variant, available unfortunately on the petrol only model. The Duo, with the LPG kit, seems to skimp on some accessories, like power windows and a tachometer. Crucially, Maruti has offered airbags and ABS as optional, but I wonder why these acknowledged safety features have been omitted from the Duo’s options list?
Bert: Well, in the first place not many customers have shown interest in the safety aspect. The Indian consumer is still averse to personal safety. Cost effectiveness is still prime in his mind. The additional costs involved in equipping his car with essentials such as airbags or ABS just do not figure on his list of priorities.
But hey, safety is not a prerogative to price and I don’t see why someone who may not be able to afford it should not feel safer with these basic implements. Which is why Maruti is looking at introducing this as an option on other variants as well. After all it is just a fitment at the end of the day and hardly requires any structural changes to the car.
Harmaan: As far as the driving experience is concerned, I think the poor clutch gets a bit jerky, especially with the A/C on. And the gearbox is nothing to write home about either.
Bertrand: Not much work has gone into refining this box. It’s still the same and just as sticky. The ratios have been retained and the box ideally matches the torque curve. The jerkiness is by virtue of its light flywheel not being able to soak in all that power until spinning at optimum revs. However once on the move the stick moves into its gates with ease. Not as positive as I’d like it to be but nothing that makes me want to pull out my hair. And I have known some cars in my life that have made do that.
Harmaan: Maruti has persevered with the electric power steering system, and it’s great when in town, or while parking, but lacks feel at speed.
Bertrand: Yes, that is characteristic of many electric power steering systems. While the effort is negligible and makes for painless manoeuvring especially in the city amidst dense traffic, the flip side is the lack of feel. But then the steering works wonderfully for its purpose, which is best utilised in a city and not on the race track. In fact Maruti should have made the steering system speed sensitive, which would have enhanced the driving feel and given greater confidence while at higher speeds.
Harmaan: Ah, but the ride is extremely good for a car in its class, definitely better than anything from within Maruti’s stables, though maybe not as good as the Indica. But then, I’m sure most of our readers are already well acquainted with the Wagon R.
Bertrand: Definitely, the ride quality is one of the better aspects of this car. In fact I have seldom come across a small car that handles the rough with the smooth with so much finesse. I loved the well-planted feel when she is rolling across some rough roads.
more coming soon
