Prima Facie: Damn odd odd odd looking car but who the hell cares anyway that’s what they said about the Swift too when it came out and then became the hottest selling car. Incidentally its built in the same platform as the Swift and shares more or less the characteristics too.
If the Swift is a sporty individualistic statement, the Ritz is the perfect car for the family with one kid and maybe even 2, with the same zing of the Swift. It is roomier, more practical, lots of space and there is the very very important 60:40 split in the rear seat. Who would want a sedan with a boot(Dzire)? Maruti Suzuki has definitely given the family a thought here. Making more space at the drop of a portion of the rear seat.
The driver’s seat position is comfortable perfectly ergo rear seats are comfy enough for long rides. 2 is comfy 3s a squeeze but the tall boy design doesn’t make you feel claustophobic at all. The rearview mirrors are large and chunky giving a clear clear idea of the traffic behind.
The car comes with speakers in whichever model you buy. Thats a blessing of sorts.
The dashboard is pleasant with the in dash music system. The gear is a treat and sits in a plum sporty mode position just like the i10. The tachometer over the dash sure wants me to race the hell out of this Ritz and she doesn’t dissappoint me at all.:)
The Ritz diesels are powered by the same 1.3 common rail engine as the Swift and the Swift Dzire, all currently available Diesels from the Fiat stable, the Tata Indica Vista and now the Indigo Manza.
The engine is powerful gear shifting is crisp and slots perfectly with no play steering seems a little more heavy than the swift.
The new K-series petrol engine has got quite a bite too but I would still prefer the 1.3L Swift engine that orginally did good service on the Esteem. The 14" tires delightful and gives the pleasure akin to driving a big car. 43 Ltr engine giving it a safe 500 odd km range on the highways. The wheel base is 3 cm shorter than the Swift maintaining the same ground clearance of 170 mm.
With 15 to the ltr of diesel in the city and an expected 12 on the new pertrol engine, its definitely economical.
The perfect car for weekends, amazing control great pickup, the diesel Ritz keeps up with the Swift not only on the road but with the pricing as well, this just makes it more value for money simply becasue its more car.
(R)itz the way to go guys I rate it better than the Swift.