New 2013 Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray Indian launch imminent

There has been a deluge of spy pictures of the WagonR Stingray (unfortunately we don't have any) on the internet. Some say it will be a limited-edition model and that it will be available in the festive season. However, we beg to differ. While Maruti is yet to comment on the Stingray or about its official launch date, dealers are happily telling prospective customers that the WagonR Stingray launch is imminent. Some, in a bid to ensure customers don't go over to rival camps, even say that the WagonR Stingray will come with a diesel engine and - most notably  - not the ubiquitous Fiat Multijet, but a new 800cc unit. We can now lay rest to these rumours.

2013 Maruti WagonR Stingray

The WagonR Stingray, for starters, isn't a limited-edition variant or sticker job. The fact that dealers are being trained to sell this new vehicle is proof that it is a substantially different vehicle. Second, as appears to be the fashion these days, the Stingray will not replace the existing WagonR – which is is now being sold at a discount of Rs 30,000. It will be positioned above the current WagonR, much like the Grand-i10, Indica-Vista and Micra- Active. There will be three variants on offer, Lxi, Vxi and Vxi (o). The Vxi (o) gets projector headlamps, fog lamps, alloy wheels, a new music system, ABS and a driver airbag. On all variants, the Stingray will have a chrome grille with different headlamps than on the current or soon-to-be old WagonR model. There will be graphics, even for the base Lxi trim. The tail lamps will also be slightly altered.

Inside the cabin, there may not be a vast difference with regard to the quality of materials used, but there certainly are more features. The interior colour scheme is most likely dual-tone. We have a hunch that the Stingray Vxi (o) may also come with reverse parking sensors. Expect the Stingray to continue offering the class-leading space that the WagonR is known for.

Now to the most important question: will the Stingray come with a diesel engine? The answer is NO. Maruti will launch the car with a 1.0-litre 68PS K10 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. The Stingray will, however, be available only in petrol and unlike the older variant, will not be offered in CNG. This will be the USP of the old WagonR. The rumoured 800cc diesel engine is in the works, and will make its debut around late 2014 or early 2015. Prices will be announced on launch date, expected to be next week. Expect the Stingray to be priced around Rs 45-50,000 more than the old car.