AbgTutor dot Com: New Suzuki Karimun Wagon R and Stingray at IIMS

Thursday 19 September 2013

New Suzuki Karimun Wagon R and Stingray at IIMS

Suzuki has unveiled its entry for the Indonesian Low Cost and Green Car (LCGC) brigade, a small and boxy ‘tallboy’ hatchback named the Karimun Wagon R. Kei car aficionados will already be familiar with it, as it’s based on the Japanese-market fourth-generation Suzuki Wagon R (which has been replaced by a newer model in 2012).

In looks, it has more in common with the current Indian-market Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, with large headlamps and a long double opening grille dominating the front end. It sits upright to maximise interior space, which is at a premium, since it sits on such a small Kei car platform. Overall length is 3,599 mm, and it’s less than 1.5 metres wide.

Also shown at the Indonesian International Motor Show 2013 is a Stingray version of the same model. It sports various styling variations, including a completely unique front end. The rear features clear lamps and a large chrome panel with ‘Stingray Wagon R’ lettering.

Under the hood is a three-cylinder 1.0 litre engine that makes 68 PS and 90 Nm of torque. With a low kerb weight of under 900 kg and a new electric power steering system, the new Karimun Wagon R should have a decent range even with its small 35 litre fuel tank.

In the Indonesian market, it succeeds the previous-generation Suzuki Karimun Estilo (a rebadged first-gen MR Wagon) that had been discontinued a year ago. The company had planned to introduce the new model earlier, but a late finalisation of the LCGC programme forced a costly year-long gap in Suzuki’s small car range, which struggled with the more expensive Splash.

With its LCGC status (the standard Karimun Wagon R at least, not the more premium Stingray), it will go up against the Toyota Agya and Daihatsu Ayla pair, the Honda Brio Satya, as well as the new Datsun Go. If given the same choices, which one would you pick?