This compact car has a 1061cc petrol engine, with dimensions of 3495(L) X 1495(W) X 1660(H) mm and weighs 825kg.
It has a ground clearance and a wheelbase of 165mm and 2360mm respectively, a turning radius of 4.6 meters.
It takes 6.49secs to reach from 0-60kph and has a fuel economy of 12kpl on urban and highway.
It also comes with a factory fitted air conditioner, heater and has additional features like wheel hub caps, molded floor and trunk carpets, front and rear door pockets,
Electronic multi trip meter
Available in 6 colors.
It has safety features like high mounted stop lamp, collapsible steering column, side impact beams, front and rear seat belts, and childproof rear door locks.
The Wagon R was introduced in 1993 by Suzuki.
Innovative ideas and phenomenal space utilization have made the Wagon R Japan’s largest selling car. Incidentally the ’R’ in the Wagon’s name tag stands for recreation. In Japan, space being at a very high premium, parents fold down the rear seats and allow their kids to play football in the rear. The new Wagon R being manufactured by Maruti, was launched in 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The Wagon R is Maruti’s fourth offering in the small car segment and the moot idea is for MUL to use this tall baby to snatch back some of the market share it has lost to the the Santro. Of course,
Build Quality
Functionality is the key word here. Okay, this car will never get you appreciations which normal humans need.The Wagon R is the original tall boy design and not Santro?.
At first impression, the Wagon R appears as a square Lego block with the very small engine compartment jutting out. Though the designers have avoided sharp edges, it still presents a very boxy outlook, enhanced by its height. Square headlights characterize the face of the Wagon R. Recessed indicators and a number plate offset to the left add fleeting touches of style to the otherwise bland nose.
The spade shaped mirrors mess with the overall look and adds their own touch of ungainliness to the vehicle. Head-on, the looks of the car are quite digestible. Not the use of the word digestible which can be interpreted any which way.
The back end would be more appropriate gracing the rear of a van rather than a car. That said, it is not repulsive either. Functionality has taken precedence over style. Nothing to admire but surprisingly nothing to hate either. The tail lamps thoughtfully positioned on the C-pillars are simple but lacking in style. The all-enveloping blandness make the logos stand out in contrast.
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION : Tried and tested setup ideal for the city commute but don’t expect it to sail over rural terrain.
The Wagon R doesn’t set any new trends in the suspension department featuring essentially the same setup as in the Zen. Front suspension is via MacPherson struts while the rear employs coils springs, gas filled shock absorbers with a three-link rigid axle and isolated trailing arms. The fine tuning of the suspension has endowed the Wagon R with a ride quality that is a marked improvement over the Zen.
The suspension settings are ideally suited to city driving.ody roll has been controlled to an extent though the high centre of gravity is obvious during hard cornering.
The small turning circle of 9.2 metres is a boon in city conditions, The car rides on 13-inch pressed steel rims shod with 145/70 R13 Bridgestones. The Wagon R measures just 3495mm end to end on the road. Power Steering Option Available on Top Models.
ENGINE:
The Wagon R sports a 1061cc engine. The engine pumps out 62bhp at 6000rpm and a torque of 82Nm at 3500rpm. The relatively flat torque curve makes constant gear shifting unnecessary in rush hour traffic.
PERFORMANCE :
A top speed of 144 kmph !! I tried this on Pune-Mumbai Express Highways?Sorry cops !!A 0 to 100kmph acceleration time of approx 19 seconds Throttle response is also very good endowing the car with a very perky nature.
FUEL EFFICIENCY :
18 Kms at Approx..
HANDLING & BRAKING:
The height of the car has necessitated stiffer spring settings to minimise body roll. When pushed to its limit however, body roll is there definitely.
Braking on the Wagon R is via 198mm front discs and 180mm drums at the rear. An eight-inch booster assists the front brakes. The brakes are quite adequate for normal usage but when push comes to stop, they fall short of expectation.
INTERIORS : Phenomenal versatility. Unmatched space utilisation. Quality feel lacking though.Space utilization is excellent?. 150 marks for this?
The height of the car gives it a feeling of airiness that is simply unmatched. The dash features cubbyholes , a tray under the steering wheel with a cup holder.Shelves above and below the dashboard that also incorporates a hook.There is a tray on top of the dash for holding coins and other assortments as well as a cubbyhole below the tape deck that can take a slim mobile.The excessive use of cheap grey plastics paints a gloomy picture that the grey seat fabrics make even worse. Quality of the interiors is not up to the mark given the level of progression in the small car segment.
Compared to the Santro, the Wagon R loses out here.The best thing about the Wagon R is the way the individual rear seat backs recline allowing the rear passengers to snooze in comfort .The seats can be so arranged that you can have a full size bed. Knee room is excellent..I don?t know the exact measurements..Sorry..
Instrumentation is the most comprehensive in VXi model than LXi. In addition to a tachometer, the speedo incorporates a digital odometer with two trip meters. The dials are faced in blue though a different shade of blue would have made them stand out better.
The car also comes with ’key not removed’ and ’light on’ warning buzzers. Though good utility value, these can be a real pain at times.
The VX version of the Wagon R comes with front power windows, rear wash/wipe, body coloured bumpers, side mouldings and a music system. Seats are comfortable but lack support in basic areas. Sort of like the chairs in your dining room. Comfortable while having dinner but not for spending the entire day in. The split rear seat can take two adults in comfort.
Accommodating a third full-size adult does not remotely qualify as a bright idea. It would be a better idea to opt for a rear bench as available on the base LX version if three adults have to fit in at the rear. The A/C blower works good to cool the rear seats better. At full blast, the blower gets noisy and making conversation can test one’s vocal chords. The A/C is powerful enough but takes a while to cool the cabin
If you think that Suzuki has innovated Tall boy..NO? it was Honda with its famous Step Van of 1972. It was Honda’s attempt come up with a vehicle which delivered the ultimate in space utilisation.