Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Maruti brings Auto Gear Shift in small cars

Celerio makes auto-driving affordable

In a crowded car market these days the basic features like engine capacity, seating capacity and service offerings are more or less same for most cars in a category. The only thing that makes one buy a particular model of car against many others is largely the subjective perception of looks and the brand pull. So how does a car maker breaks out of the heard and stands out? By doing something totally different that becomes its USP (unique selling proposition). 

This is exactly what Maruti Suzuki, the car market leader, has done. The small car king Maruti has launched the industry’s first ‘auto gear shift technology’ in the small/ compact segment that accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the Indian car market. Named Celerio, the new car is an all petrol vehicle that also boasts of a new 3-cylinder all aluminium K-next engine. Celerio with auto gear shift is available in two variants LX and VXi at Rs 4.42 lakh and 4.72 lakh, ex-showroom Bangalore. The car is also available in manual transmission (3 variants) with a starting price of Rs 4.02 lakh.



To understand the auto gear shift technology and to experience driving it, I recently took a Celerio for a day-long drive on the congested city roads, on a highway and through the winding roads to a hillock. But before we talk about other features let us first concentrate on the most exciting new technology that will certainly stir-up the car market in a big way for the ease of driving, high fuel efficiency and affordable prices.

In the auto gear shift technology, Maruti also calls it automated manual transmission; there is no clutch pedal to press. This system is equipped with the Intelligent Shift Control Actuator, an electric-hydraulic actuator that automatically performs clutch and shift operations. Auto gear shift combines the actuator and controller and directly mounts them in the transmission in order to unify the working components. This permits synchronised control over the clutch, shifting, and engine for smoother gear changes. As well as bringing together the advantages of both manual and automatic transmissions, shifting time is shortened compared to conventional gear shifting.



‘D’ mode for ease
Now, look at the picture of the gear-shift console above and read on to understand how it works for you. To start the car the gear-shift lever must be in ‘N’ (neutral) position and the brake pedal depressed. Once the engine starts humming bring the lever to ‘D’ (drive) and press the accelerator, just smile and keep driving, no gear shift, no clutch. To slow down just press the brake and then press the accelerator again to drive on, just like in a fully auto-transmission cars. If attentive you can feel the gearshift happening. The ‘D’ mode is very useful while driving on congested roads, and according to the car dealers women like it the most as they are a bit unenthusiastic to shift gear. 

Of course, in this mode one got to be a bit patient as the transmission system is synchronised with speed to change gear automatically. The most appropriate gear is automatically selected by the auto gear shift system, based on the operation of the accelerator pedal and vehicle speed. With the increase in speed, the car moves up to a higher gear, the highest being the 5th gear. The LED display system also shows the gear in which the car is moving. To get the best mileage in this mode one should always lightly press the accelerator and let the car do the rest.


‘M’ mode for fun
But if you are in a hurry, or want to accelerate quickly on a highway or like the fun of gear driving, select ‘M’ (manual) mode after starting the engine. (One can also change between D and M modes while driving.) In ‘M’ mode the gear selection is manual in a sequential order, from 1 st to 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th, or in the reverse order. The beauty of this clutch-less technology is that the gear shifts with a light push of fingers, push the lever backward (+) for moving up the gear or push forward (-) for down shift. While slowing down, the gear shifts down automatically and when speeding up the gear shifts with a push if the speed is near the correct range. The freedom to change gear in ‘M’ mode is a major plus point while quickly overtaking speeding vehicles on a highway or you need sudden power to negotiate a sharp and steep curve in the hills.

Small but powerful 
Celerio is the first car in Maruti’s stable to run on K-next engine, a small one litre (998cc, to be precise), 3-cylinder petrol engine that uses aluminium in its construction. Despite being small and three cylinders, the engine is remarkably quiet. In fact, I found the engine roar is so subdued that the need for gear shift was unnoticed at times, but for the speed. Maruti has done a good job in lowering the NVH levels. The K-Next engine produces 68PS of max power and 90Nm of max torque. Good enough for a small and light car (kerb weight 830 kg) to be zippy even with AC on. The flat torque allows steady pick up from slow speed even on the 5 th gear.  


The car has a certified fuel efficiency of 23.1 kmpl. On a combination of city, highway and hill roads driving I got an average of around 18 kmpl, which in itself is an excellent figure for a petrol car. The noteworthy point here is that Celerio with auto gear shift yields far superior mileage than a fully automatic small car that gives just around 12 kmpl and also cost about a Rs lakh more.

The design of Celerio is contemporary and aerodynamic. The interior has been designed to maximise space and comfort. The boot space is 235 litre and the 60:40 split flexibility of rear seat enhances luggage space. The dashboard displays very useful information such as real-time fuel efficiency, average fuel efficiency, distance to empty (range), gear position indicator etc. Used intelligently, these information help improve driving practices. 

The writer is a business journalist and a freelance writer writing test drive reports on cars / SUVs for the last 11 years. Can be contacted on dilipmaitra@gmail.com. Pictures by the writer. (Any unauthorised copy and reproduction of images are prohibited. Please write for permission.) 

Saturday, 1 February 2014

A macho SUV from Isuzu

Isuzu launches premium SUV
Isuzu Motors India Private Limited, the Japanese automobile maker and global diesel engine expert, has launched its sports utility vehicle the Isuzu MU-7. The company recently showcased it in Bangalore. 

The first impression of the 7-seater Isuzu MU-7 is that it is massive, very masculine and with a length of 4955 mm it is perhaps the longest SUV in its category. Its sturdy body, heavy weight (kerb weight 1900 kg), wide tires (245/70R16), good ground clearance (210mm) and large wheelbase (3050mm) are expected to make the drive on Isuzu MU-7, fast, safe and comfortable on the highways. (More on driving experience after I do the test drive.) The company expects most buyers of Isuzu MU-7 to be driven by a driver and that is the reason why the second row seats have many comfort features: seats are wide, have good leg rooms, split AC with personal control and a small LED player. But with the power storehouse under the bonnet Isuzu MU-7 can become more exciting for the driving enthusiast if 4 wheel drive is added for comfortable off-roading. 

Isuzu India Deputy Managing Director Shigeru Wakabayashi (left) and Managing Director Takashi Kikuchi at the recent launch of Isuzu MU-7 SUV in Bangalore

Powerful engine
The Isuzu MU-7 has a 3-litre (2999cc to be precise) power packed diesel engine, which has four cylinders. The CRDi (common rail direct injection) engine is also fitted with an intercooled VGS (variable geometry system) turbocharger. The engine produces 163 PS of power @3600 rpm and has a maximum torque output of 360Nm between 1800–2800 rpm. The powerful engine should help in quick acceleration on the free roads and the wide torque range should make the driving easy on city roads without too much of gear shifting. Large size, heavy body and powerful engine will of course result in an expected trade off between fuel efficiency (the company claims 12.01 kmpl certified by ARAI under ideal conditions) and comfort.


On the exterior the Isuzu MU-7 has an aerodynamic body with a macho and rugged look. The front looks attractive with contemporary design of the grille and the headlamp consoles. The inside of the vehicle has many luxurious features. The seats are very comfortable and have premium leather upholstery, the front cabin has got a dual tone dashboard, and there are quite a few storage spaces as well such as a large glove box. Keeping the safety of the passengers in mind the company has added airbags for the driver and co-passenger in the front. It also comes with ABS (anti-lock braking system and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) – two important features to avoid skidding and collision in case of panic braking.

Isuzu has started the local production of its models in India. The Isuzu MU-7 SUV and D-Max pickup will be assembled at the Hindustan Motors manufacturing plant in Thiruvallur, Chennai, while the CKD kits will be sourced from Thailand. The Isuzu MU-7 starts at Rs 22.7 lakh (ex-showroom) in Bangalore and at this price point its nearest competitor is Toyota’s SUV Fortuner. Isuzu's own manufacturing facility at SriCity, Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh, with a capacity to produce 60,000 vehicles, will be operational by 2015-16.

The company claims Isuzu MU-7 also features a unique software ‘Isuzu Insight’, which analyses drive parameters & provide insights of an individual’s driving habits and style, thereby helping improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.


Major tech specs of MU-7

Exterior (length, breadth, height): mm
4955, 1800,1805
Wheelbase: mm
3050
Ground clearance: mm
210
Kerb weight: kg
1900
Engine type
4 cylinder VGS, CRDi diesel
Engine displacement: cc
2999
Max Power: kw (PS) @ rpm
120 (163) @ 3600
Max torque: Nm @RPM
360 @ 1800-2800
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drive train
4X2, rear wheel drive

The writer is a business journalist and a freelance writer writing test drive reports on cars / SUVs for the last 10 years. Can be contacted on dilipmaitra@gmail.com. (Any unauthorised copy and reproduction of images are prohibited. Please write for permission.)