Why would you want the Ignis to be your first car?

Words by Yash Sunil

Maruti Suzuki’s new premium compact vehicle, the Ignis is set to launch on January 13. The Ignis will be available only at Nexa showrooms all across the country and will be the cheapest offering by Nexa which are in par with Maruti Suzuki’s primarily target – youngsters.

So let’s answer some questions that an Indian youth would have about the Ignis.

The bold bodywork along with the flared wheel arches, a first for Maruti Suzuki

Does it look cool?

Cool is sort of understating it, the vehicle actually looks radical with the bold bodywork, the rectangular projector headlights and the attractive DRLs. The meshed grille flows into the headlamps and the bumpers integrate the fog lamps well. The side profile has bulging wheel arches and quirky three slashes on the C-pillar to pay homage to the Fronte Coupe from the 1970s. The car also gets petal-shaped 16-inch alloy rims that go rather well with the bold bodywork.

The interiors of the Ignis get some really funky design elements

Well since I am going to spend most of my time inside, how is the interior?

Maruti Suzuki understands that youngsters need a high quality music system and an interior design that won’t look like their dad’s car. The Ignis gets a dual-tone dashboard alongwith carbonfibre textured AC surrounds. The central console of the Ignis is in tune with modern times and comes  with a floating infotainment system which supports both Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay. The climate control functions are located on a spirally mounted panel that has several buttons along with the display giving the central console a really premium feel.

The rectangular headlights with integrated DRLs 

Okay, I see someone standing next me at the lights, can I outrun him?

First of all, we don’t advise a drag race on public roads. But don’t expect to blitz between lights. The Ignis gets a 1.2-litre K10 petrol engine that makes 83bhp of power and 115Nm of torque and a 1.3-litre diesel engine sourced from Fiat with a fixed geometry turbo that makes 74bhp and 190Nm. While I am at it let me also remind you that the both the petrol and diesel engines are available with the AMT gearbox so if you want to let your left foot rest in peace, just get the AMT.

I don’t hope to crash but just incase I do, will the Ignis protect me?

Sometimes accidents happen (for no fault of ours 99.9 per cent of the time), Maruti Suzuki have got that aspect covered as well by fitting the Ignis with ABS and EBD as standard along with dual airbags. As an added bonus, the Ignis has been designed with pedestrian safety in mind too. It has received a 3-star rating by Euro NCAP recently.

The blackned roof with the black alloys and make the Ignis really stand out

Umm, I don’t want my Ignis to look like every other car on the road, can something be done?

Don’t you worry; Maruti Suzuki is going to offer some cool customization options as well such as a bunch of Roof Wraps, and kits that can be specified as per the liking of the customer.