This feedback is my experience of the new K Series petrol Swift Dzire. I wont explain the specs of the K-Series Dzire as that is available at Showroom where you can just walk in. I booked my Petrol Dzire VXI model White color in December 09 in Bangalore and got the delivery in March 10. Even though it was a corporate booking the delivery was delayed. I was lucky to escape the budget blues, although I was not spared the cost increase done by Maruti in January 2010.
I cannot compare to the old G-Series engine swift or dzire as I just drove the same couple of years back. So my feedback will purely be my experience on this version and other cars that I drive like Wagon R, Santro, Alto and Toyota Corolla. It is a little over a month and about 1300 kms that I have been driving my car. Completed the first service although it looked like the only service done was to wash the car. The K-Series engine requires first oil and filter change only at 10, 000 kms and not 1000 kms as for other Maruti cars.
The feeling is quite good when I get down behind the wheel with initial ergonomics looking good too. However once you start on a longer drive within the city you start to realise that the front seat is not firm enough and cushion sinks a bit. I am 6ft tall and that is not good sign for me. Also on a longer drive whether within a city or highway what hits you is the pain that your feet develops operating the accelerator pedal. One cannot rest part of the foot on the side while constantly on the accelerator.
Also I found that the clutch press is hard. The dealer has promised to look into the clutch problem after comparing to other similar K series engine dzire. I am still awaiting that to be resolved.
On the good side, the gear box slots nicely and is reasonably precise. The steering feel is solid but not as soft as say i20, i10 or Wagon R or Fabia.
Coming to the K-series engine itself it is quite powerful for its power/weight ratio and with the A/c off you dont really need to downshift to overtake. The engine responds to high gear, low speed ride thus you dont really need to downshift again in city traffic unless you want to race ahead. The a/c does not seem to be sufficient when temparature is above 35deg.
What I also like was the dashboard and console design with the orange color. At night it gives a brilliant effect. The speedo console is close to the Corolla in design. The music system is good too if you are the person who doesnt demand high quality sound system. On the Bangalore-Mysore highway run the Bangalore FM channels was powerful enough to be receptable at Mysore.
Lastly coming to the big question of Fuel efficiency, I am sorry to add that I have not calculated it so far. But from the refills I have been doing it is reasonably good. I will post the FE figures shorty and look for the same in the COMMENTS response below.
You can send me your questions and I will try to answer them as far as possible.