The Zen Estilo shares its platform with the Alto and the Wagon-R. Maruti has shrewdly commonalised a number of parts of the Wagon-R for the new Zen, enabling a good cut in costs. One key part that is

also shared is the powertrain.

The same 1,061cc, four-cylinder engine and five-speed gearbox combo that power the Wagon-R have been strapped on to the new Zen. The engine’s characteristics are identical, putting out a peak power of 64bhp at 6,200 rpm and maximum torque of 84Nm at 3,500 rpm.

The Zen Estilo (with a lowered emphasis on the `t’, Spanish style) is, even as the name seems to suggest, an amalgam of Japanese simplicity and European chic. Put together to confor

m to the standards of a `monoform’ design, the car is for the most part a carry forward of the original Suzuki MR Wagon, the Japanese parent’s popular small car.

`Estilo’ means `stylish’ in Spanish and the car’s design has a lot of that European panache all around. At first glance, the new Zen looks a lot like a minaturised family van. But that is because of its smooth flowing, simple lines and the monoform design. It is a blend of the jellybean and tallboy designs, giving it a unique stance and looks. With what seems to be a cab-forward stance and straight free flowing lines, the Zen Estilo will stand out in a parking lot, even though there are hints of the Wagon-R in its overall design, especially when looked at from a distance.

The new Zen Estilo’s monoform design concept has quite a fan following. This is not the first car with the monoform exterior design, nor is it restricted to the small-car segment.

The Daewoo Matiz was a classic example of the monoform design, as is the Mercedes Benz A-class hatch.

Also, the Toyota Innova and the Honda Civic conform loosely to the monoform definition.

As the name seems to suggest, a car that features a monoform design has a single line defining its form. Starting from the front bumper, the design line (more evident from the side) swoops all the way to the rear bumper in one, uninterrupted sinuous stroke.

This would mean that the regular classic sedan mould or the simple two-box mould will not conform to this standard as the design line for these style of vehicles will be interrupted at the windscreen and the boot area.

This also obviously means that the monoform design will, to a large extent, require a cab-forward style basic structure.

Inherently, the monoform design enables carmakers push out the two axles to the extremes, thereby dramatically reducing the overhang and maximising the wheelbase, which in turn improves cabin space.

Cars sporting a monoform design also carry-off bright body colours very well.

No wonder the Zen Estilo is being offered with colours such as brilliant yellow, purple fusion, sparkling olive and bright red.

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