Maruti Suzuki’s executive sedan, the Ciaz, was one of their most successful products. Even almost 4 years since it was first launched in 2014 remains one of the strongest contenders in its segment. However, when we did line up the Ciaz against the rest of the segment it did show signs of ageing. Almost begging for a mid-cycle facelift. Now fresh images are surfaces from friends of Express Drive who spotted a test mule in Gurgaon near Maruti’s Manufacturing hub.
Although the mule is camouflaged, it does reveal a lot about the design and revamps to the Ciaz for 2018. The 2018 Ciaz gets a new grille, a new front bumper and tweaked headlamps that sort of resemble the LED lamps on the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. It will also get new multi-spoke alloy wheels a new rear bumper and reworked-possibly LED taillamps.
In terms of features, the Ciaz is likely to get a new MMID and Instrument cluster, which will house a reworked speedometer, rev counter, fuel and temperature gauges. It is also likely that the new 2018 Ciaz will get the touchscreen infotainment unit from the Baleno and the new S-Cross along with some faux-wood inserts to bring contrast to the dashboard.
The engine is likely to remain largely unchanged, the 2018 Ciaz gets the same 1.4-litre 91bhp petrol and the 1.3-litre 89bhp diesel, both mated to manual gearboxes. It is also likely that the facelift will be followed by an AMT option as well. With the rapidity at which test mules continue to emerge, we assume that the Ciaz might actually make it in time for the 2018 Auto Expo
