Driver's diesel. Review on Maruti Suzuki Zen - Diesel

Here's How It Can Be

A white TATA Sumo appears in my rear-view mirror. It wasn't there when I looked a second ago, and now it's bearing down on me with great vigor. An angry flash of headlights and continuous honking - it's almost on my rear bumper! It all seemed to me that if I had given him a little space, he would accelerate past me as if I were standing still. I glance at my speedometer: It reads 80 km/h. Ok, its time time to give the sumo driver what he really deserves - I downshift into 3rd gear from 5th, and depressed the accelerator to the floor. Seconds later, I again had a look at the rear view mirror - the Sumo is now history. My speedometer now reads 120 km/h*, fast enough to be dragged away in handcuffs by the police.

• 90 km/h in 3rd, 120 km/h in 4th gear. (Zen diesel touches maximum speed - 140 km/h - in 4th gear)

The review

Yes, its really the driver's diesel car. I ve been driving one since maruti launched the diesel version for the first time. Initial equipments rolled out of maruti plant was having a very good diesel pump (bosch). The problem with the pump was that the torque at lower rpms were poor, when compared to the diesel engines that were already running in Indian raods. But on high engine rpm, this it is quite a delite to drive this car, and the engine seemed to deliver more power when the speed is increased.

Later maruti did a free replacement of the deisel pump, from bosch to TVS lucas, to fit the Indian driver's needs. (power at low rmps too) but I think this wasn't necessary, because the TVS pump has decreased the top speed of the car, as well as the performance at high speeds. Still I would say this is the best small diesel car around, giving an awesome milage of 24 Kms per litre of diesel. The car is pretty fast too, having very good acceleration, 0 to 100 kmph in 18 secs, just beats mercedez benz e 250 deisel and tata's fastest car, the Sierra.

The great TUD5 engine from peugeot has ruled out the general belief, that diesel engines are supposed to have problems, and the maintenance cost of a diesel car is higher than a petrol car. Now the car has done around 100000 kms, no engine problems yet. The only service I have done on the engine so far is, de-carbonization (2 times) and engine timing adjustments.

I am not writing about the ineriors, looks and other stuff, because all of them are similar to a petrol zen.

Ok, Now the negative remarks. Whenever you turn the AC on, there is a lack of power. sometimes, if the engine is tuned for good milage and not for good power, even depressing clutch while driving will stop the engine because of the compressor load.

Another problem is the engine sound. Sometimes the engine sound becomes so unbearable. Solution : correct the diesel pump timing. (Don't do it on your own!! Take the help of a qualified maruti service personnel)

Overall this car is fun to drive, fuel economy is great. Best car for 1 - 4 persons inside city or on the highways.