With the new launch of its face lifted version of WagonR, Maruti has left its competitors behind. Watch out Mr Hyundai.
If you are the performance & fuel efficiency seeking guy, here is a baby for you.
The bi-fuel arrangement allows switching between Petrol and LPG. The shift can be done with a touch of a button. If you keep it on Auto mode, you don't have to bother about the switching stuff. The micro-processor will take care that the ignition happens on petrol and after certain engine RPM is reached, it will automatically switch to LPG.
With the current refinements in the engine and the AC system; Maruti claims that the vehicle is 10% more fuel efficient that it’s earlier version.
Also, refer to the reviews on LPG by Arun, https://mouthshut.com/user/arun_112.html
I brought DUO two months ago. Till date, I have driven it for around 2500 KMs. Here are some of my observations.
Few scoring points
(1) I drove it for 2500 KMs in mixed mode, (petrol & LPG), most of the drive was on Pune roads (now you can imagine worst driving conditions, as good as driving on moon surface). Still it gave me 13-14 KMPL for LPG and 15-16 KMPL for petrol with intermittent AC usage.
(2) The performance on LPG is comparable to that with petrol. You will only feel a slag when driving with full capacity (5 persons) and AC on. Otherwise you will not even notice that it’s running on LPG. Thanks to the additional fuel mixer provided in the fuel injection system.
(3) The electronic power steering is responsive and makes the driving a good experience. Better than Hyundai’s hydraulic power steering.
(4) Cooling of AC is excellent and fast.
(5) Of course, the tallboy design is specious from inside. Even the boot space is good enough, considering the spare tyre is fitted in the boot space.
(6) High ground clearance, smooth contours, chunky radial tyres and an excellently sculpted body.
Now, some of the minuses:
(1) Initially (before 1st service) the gear shift was too hard. Now its better, but still I would not rate it as smooth. According to the MUL service engineers, that's because the harder retention springs introduced in this version.
(2) The gear throw is not compact. While shifting to first or second gear, you often touch the co-driver's legs. Why can't Maruti install a Swift gear box to this one?
(3) The cabin is not quite sound proof.
(4) Even the highest variant in DUO does not come with power windows.
(5) The new dashboard design is nice; however, the quality of plastic is inferior.
(6) Hey Maruti, where will I fit rear stereo speakers?
Overall, I’m satisfied with this vehicle. I think its value for your hard earned money.
FEW UPDATES (12 Feb, 07)
It has been now four and half months to my car. I have driven it for around 8500 KMs till date including the 1500 KM long Goa and Kokan trip. I serviced it twice. I am thankful to the dealer (Millennium Mobility, Pune) for the amazing service I have received.
I had received an outstanding performance from this vehicle throughout the Goa trip. With driving full capacity (5 people) and AC constantly on. I received average fuel economy of 14-15 KMPL on LPG and 16-17 KMPL on petrol.
The people already been to Goa via Kolhapur route might now how steep the Amboli ghat is. I drove it completely on LPG without any problem (AC was off obviously).
Wait… here is the dark side of the coin. Till the second service everything was all-bell.
However, after second service I started to get a fuel system malfunction problem for LPG. It does not happen always. Moreover, I tried to jot down the symptoms. But it does not happen on any specific action / known reason.
The problem is LPG supply breaks down and the engine does not receive sufficient amount of fuel to produce the power. Hence you observe a sudden drag/slag in power. A slag so strong, you feel that by mistake you have pressed break paddle in place of accelerator.
One of the observations is it happens when the vehicle is driven in trafficated road, in lower gears with clutch paddle pressed most of the times.
Sometimes the malfunction causes engine to turn dead and does not start again. I have to take it on petrol to turn back on. That's ridiculous, isn't it? Specially, when somebody behind you is blowing the horn harder to get rid of you and you have to hurriedly make these switches. Hussshh!!!
Ray of hope in dark: (UPDATE 18-AUG-2009)
Back in 2006, when I reported this to Senior MUL engineer K.K. Gaur who happened to meet me on his regular visit to Millenium. He personally inspected the vehicle and suggested few changes to dealer. They replaced some of the components in the fuel system and phew... the problem was gone. I haven't got this issue till date after clocking 41000 KMs.
Few things I would like of appreciate from Maruti.
1) Frequent free service and inspection camps organized by Maruti specifically to get feedback about this vehicle.
2) Very positive response from dealer.
3) The insurance claim settlement is very seamless. I had two unfortunate occasions in past two years; both the times I just signed on the claim paper and went to collect my vehicle when it was ready. No hassles at all.
