In conversation with C V Raman, Executive Director (Engg) at Maruti Suzuki India Limited

Q: The X A Alpha concept was shown a couple of years ago. What took so long to put it into production?
A: Actually at that point of time we had started our research and we were looking to make sure we have a good platform. Suzuki had developed the new ‘C’ platform to develop this. Of course having said that, the new C platform had to be tweaked and some changes were made to ensure an overall package. We had to make it sub four-metres – that was a key challenge for us, so we started about three and a half years ago.
Q: What are the key features of this platform?
A: It is very rigid and it has offset compliance so this vehicle has already been homologated for the new offset and side impact crash tests. There is a flexibility with which you can work on this platform.

Q: Are there automatic transmission options?
A: There is no automatic transmission. Manual shift will enhance the sporty feel for passionate customers. However, going forward if we do require an AMT, it will be integrated. From the concept point of view however, it did not seem appropriate. We first wanted to make sure that the entire package of the design, comfort, convenience and safety, works. In time, if need be, we can do lot of other stuff in terms of engine and transmission.
Q: Air bags and ABS will be standard?
A: Yes, on the lowest version, you have a driver airbag and that’s how we get the compliance and we have ABS as well. And of course, top end models get the complete safety kit.

Q: No four-wheel-drive version right now?
A: At this point of time when a compact SUV was the root concept, no. Again, should the need arise, it could be done.
Q: Have you looked at the ride height so that it can do a bit of off-roading, or is this a purely road going vehicle?
A: It’s a pure road car. Of course, our challenge was to get the proportions right and we had to get the height ratio to ensure the rear seat comfort is not compromised in terms of head room, but we also wanted good ground clearance (198mm).
Q: Which one do you prefer – this or the Baleno?
A: Both are different concepts I would say. This is a high seating car that’s good on handling and gives you the confidence and very good road presence. It has the DDIS 200 diesel engine. I think it’s very adequate for this segment.

Q: What is the biggest challenge being a chief engineer for a global product?
A: I think first of all I would like to say that it’s a really proud moment for all of us. Three and half years ago when we were given this challenge, a lot of responsibilities were thrust on the entire team. Having said that, various things happened which have made good learning experiences for the entire team as well as myself. There is that emotion which is always there for an engineer when he is coming to you with the proposal. But I had to judge it not on emotion, but on what it is going to do and so I had to make sure that it pushes the envelope. And, when I sent it back, they came back with better proposals and made it better and better, so that’s how the whole project works. So I think the global development process helped us to do that. I also had to face challenges from the management in terms of design. Many times the design was sent back. The first time we had the presentation, we were up at 5:30 in the morning and we had to call the top level management including the MD for the presentation at 6am in the summer because the clay model would melt. And looking at the vehicle, one of the top heads of Suzuki engineering came and told me that I want a confident stance on the vehicle and this is what you should bring to the design and it should radiate energy. So that was the direction which was set. It is energetic, bold and distinct and very confident as the overall theme of the vehicle from the design standpoint.

Q: So the design of the vehicle also has been done in India?
A: Yes. Everything. It is one hundred per cent Indian.
Q: And the localisation?
A: Localisation is 98 per cent. We have used the platform, the engine and the core technology global development process. We have done the prototyping, we have done all the builds here, we have done extensive validation here and also a lot of extensive validation in Japan. We had to use our global facilities because we didn’t have the Rohtak facility. But, the crash facility and all the testing we did here, and NVH testing was also done here. So there was a mix and match and so that is the global experience working with them. But, our engineers had to take the final call whether it is okay or not.

Q: Will it be exported also?
A: Yes, if required we can do that, but primarily we are looking at the domestic market.