EXCLUSIVE: Maruti Suzuki Aims At Better Crash Ratings With Swift, Dzire

The latest 4th generation Maruti Suzuki Swift, and its subcompact sedan alter-ego, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire will aim for strong scores from Global NCAP crash tests. The reworked ‘Heartect’ platform is now more in line with its structure seen on the same models from Suzuki in markets like Japan and Western Europe. With the new generation, Maruti Suzuki could be looking to finally silence the criticism it has now dealt with for a decade, of making cars with inferior build quality, especially in India. Sources have indicated to Acko Drive that the idea is to achieve similar benchmarks with both cars as they share almost all parts and some body panels too. The first move in this direction was already seen at the launch of the new 4th generation Maruti Suzuki Swift. At the launch, the company announced that this is the first time a mass model will carry stability control (often designated as ESC/ Electronic Stability Control, or ESP/Electronic Stability Programme), and 6 airbags – as standard across all variants.

Also Read: Review Alert! New Maruti Suzuki Swift: Tailor-Made For India?

The only other Maruti Suzuki cars to get this are Invicto and Jimny – which also arrived just last year. But this also makes the Swift the first model to be sold through Maruti Suzuki’s Arena retail channel, to have this distinction. The Dzire, which launches later in the year, will also likely carry a similar claim – though there may be a taxi/fleet-only model that may have different specifications. This is unclear at this time. But other features like three-point seatbelts for all 5 passengers, ISOFIX child seat anchors, hill-hold, and seatbelt reminder buzzers (front and rear) are expected to be standard on the Dzire, as they are on the Swift. As for the crash capability, the Swift also now uses more high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel in its structure (and again this is expected on the Dzire too). This is one of the measures being implemented to make the car more crash-capable.

The two models may even undergo crash testing at both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP within the next three to four months. Our information says that these will be voluntary tests – meaning the company will willingly provide its cars for said tests – and that would also be a first from Maruti Suzuki. Remember that at the revised Global NCAP tests, a 5-star result also requires cars to be tested for side impact protection and high-speed stability testing. While even a high 4-star result would speak volumes, sources indicate that Suzuki HQ in Japan is keen to have the Made-in-India cars score a 5-star result, if possible. While Global NCAP’s India-specific protocol is stronger than before, it is still not as demanding as some other programmes like JNCAP (Japan NCAP) or Euro NCAP.

Also Read: New Maruti Suzuki Swift Launched In India

While the new generation Swift has not yet been crash-tested by either ASEAN NCAP, Euro NCAP, or ANCAP (Australasian NCAP), it has achieved a 4-star result from JNCAP. The expectation is for it to perform better with less strict protocols, assuming that the build quality is the same or similar. Of course, a lot will also depend on whether the cars go to Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP, or both. The current scenario indicates that while the sedan will head to the former, the hatch may only be tested at Bharat NCAP. Acko Drive reached out to Maruti Suzuki for a confirmation and statement with regards to this report, but the company has declined to comment. Global NCAP has conducted 14 crash tests with Made-in-India Maruti Suzuki models. Many have fared terribly with 0- or 1-star ratings. Only the Vitara Brezza scored 4 stars in 2018, and the Ertiga received 3 stars in 2019. But that too was under the initial, less strict protocol.