Spec shootout: Maruti Celerio AMT vs Honda Brio AT vs Nissan Micra CVT
One of the biggest stories of the Auto Expo 2014 has been the introduction of the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in the Maruti Celerio, a cost effective and fuel efficient alternative to the automatic. The AMT system is being widely accepted and Maruti is being inundated with bookings, most of them for the automatic. AMT basically is a manual transmission with an intelligent bit of technology eliminating the hassle of shifting gears, a painful practice in high traffic city areas. This is system is not only affordable to make but it also happens to match the fuel efficiency of the Celerio with a manual gearbox. Its this mix of affordability and high efficiency that is making the Celerio such a success.
However the Celerio isn't the only affordable hatchback on offer with an automatic gearbox. It may be the cheapest one on sale today but there are other options with different gearbox technologies. Here's a comparison between the AMT Celerio, the Honda Brio with a torque converter and the Nissan Micra with a CVT transmission
| SPECS | MARUTI SUZUKI CELERIO AMT |
| Displacement | 998cc |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Valves/cylinder | 4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automated manual (AMT) |
| Max Power (PS@rpm) | 68@6000 |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 90@3500 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 3600x1600x1560 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2425 |
| Kerb weight | 830 |
| Suspension (F/R) | Macpherson struts/torsion beam |
| Brakes (F/R) | Disc/drum |
| Tyres | 155/80R13(LXI) 165/70R14(VXI) |
| Boot space (litres) | 235 |
| Fuel tank (litres) | 35 |
| 0-100kmph | NA |
| Top Speed | NA |
| Fuel Efficiency (kmpl) | 23.1 (claimed) |
| ABS | N |
| Airbags | N |
| Price ex Mumbai | Rs 4.6lakh (VXI AMT) |
| SPECS | HONDA BRIO AT |
| Displacement | 1198cc |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Valves/cylinder | 4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed torque convertor |
| Max Power (PS@rpm) | 88@6000 |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 109@4500 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 3610x1680x1500 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2345 |
| Kerb weight | 970 |
| Suspension (F/R) | Macpherson struts/torsion beam |
| Brakes (F/R) | Disc/drum |
| Tyres | 175/65R14 |
| Boot space (litres) | 175 |
| Fuel tank (litres) | 35 |
| 0-100kmph | 16.1s |
| Top Speed | 144kmph |
| Fuel Efficiency (kmpl) | 16.5 (claimed) |
| ABS | 2 |
| Airbags | Y |
| Price ex Mumbai | Rs 6.37lakh |
| SPECS | NISSAN MICRA CVT |
| Displacement | 1198cc |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Valves/cylinder | 4 |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Max Power (PS@rpm) | 77@6000 |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 104@4000 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 3825x1665x1530 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2450 |
| Kerb weight | 960 |
| Suspension (F/R) | Macpherson struts/torsion beam |
| Brakes (F/R) | Disc/drum |
| Tyres | 175/60R15 |
| Boot space (litres) | 251 |
| Fuel tank (litres) | 41 |
| 0-100kmph | 15.8s |
| Top Speed | 145kmph |
| Fuel Efficiency (kmpl) | 19.34 (claimed) |
| ABS | 2 |
| Airbags | Y |
| Price ex Mumbai | Rs 6.94lakh |