The Hindu Business Line : Engines, inside out

THE Getz and the Swift are set very close to each other on performance parameters. Both feature 1.3 litre engines that have been derived from existing mills — the Accent's in the case of the Getz and the Esteem's in the case of the Swift.

Simply put, Maruti has taken an already fuel-efficient engine and made it sporty and less polluting. Hyundai, on the other hand, had taken a relatively sporty engine and made it more fuel-efficient. This burner's roots are unrecognisable in its `souped' up form.

Both the car's engines are high on refinement and low on noise and vibration. The noise-vibration harshness packaging in the Swift has been given a further boost with a number of noise-reduction features.

The Suzuki car's free-revving engine and the tall gear ratios for its five-speed manual give the 1.3 litre engine an amazing speed range in each gear slot. In terms of peak power and maximum torque both the engines are again neck and neck.

However, with the Hyundai engine's peak torque kicking in at a lower 3,200 rpm, the Getz tends to be a shade more torquey in the first couple of gears. Yet, the Swift is a delight to drive and between the two will be the more fuel-efficient. In city, a mileage of 10-12 kmpl can be expected, with highway numbers climbing up to about 16 kmpl. The Getz will trail those figures by about two kmpl in city and about a kilometre on the highway.

Overall, the handling of both the cars is similar, with the Getz steering slightly more precise. Rear seat comfort in the Swift is better, though legroom is lesser than in the Hyundai car. On the highway, both the cars are great performers compared to the other small cars.

If the premium small car segment were to be defined by the size of the car and/or the engine, then the Fiat Palio, the GM Opel Corsa Sail and the Tata Indica would all form part of the crowd. But the Getz and the Swift are clearly way ahead of these cars in this size category.

In terms of fit and finish, features and practicality both these cars are probably the harbingers of exciting, sophisticated and snazzy small cars to come.

Between the two, however, the Swift takes the lead in performance, novelty value and most of all the value-for-money criteria.

With all the characteristics that Maruti has always been famous for, the Swift's newness and pleasantly surprising performance will keep buyers interested, despite the current long waiting period for deliveries.

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