The Hindu Business Line : Setting a tech benchmark

MARUTI was caught unawares just before the turn of the millennium, when Hyundai beat the near monopolist by being the first to offer new technology in a new small car that met the stipulated emission norms.

The technology platform that helped catapult Santro's sales was multi-point fuel injection (MPFI), a piece of equipment that is taken for granted in today's cars.

But after being runner-up in the race then, Maruti has just managed to breast the tape this time around with the Suzuki Swift. It has been loaded with so much technology and several `upmarket' features for a car in its category that it could well become a benchmark that others will want to match.

For one, it is probably the only car that comes with two airbags as part of the standard fitment in a variant that is available off the showroom for about Rs 5 lakh. Ditto with the anti-lock braking system, with electronic brake force distribution and a brake assist function, another first in this segment. The top-end ZXi version, which incorporates these two features, also sports an automatic climate control system (aircon) and fog lamps. A remote keyless entry system is also standard with the ZXi, which incorporates an electronic tailgate release and courtesy delay timer for the cabin lights.

All variants come with collapsible steering column and the front seatbelts offer additional safety, thanks to pre-tensioners and load-limiters. The front seats are also six-way adjustable. But tilt steering is currently not being offered with the Swift.

The other bit of technology that the Swift has, and which could become a benchmark, is Controlled Area Network or CANBUS, as Suzuki calls it, to enable quick data transfer between the car's microprocessors and its components. Six microprocessors connected in a high-speed `Canbus' controls the engine, ABS_EBD, EPS, automatic aircon, security and deadlock, and the airbag.

CAN systems are inherently capable of offering high-speed data transfer and this enables real time control of components.

As all the processors are connected and all the signals travel on a single main wire, these systems are also more reliable.

In the event of a fault, the problem can be diagnosed by simply using a handheld computer, which scans the entire system and displays the necessary information; this means easier trouble-spotting and quicker repairs.

Suzuki and Maruti engineers have also done considerable development work and incorporated in the Swift a number of noise reduction features that actually work in the Indian context.

Overall, what you get in the top-end variant of the Swift for a price that is close to the Rs 5-lakh threshold, is a car that can compare, in terms of features, to many a higher-priced sedan.

No wonder then that many customers who are still waiting for the Swift that they have booked feel that the ZXi is a much better value for money proposition than the lower trim variants.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page