Maruti Suzuki YL1: SX4 replacement caught testing in India

The 2014 Indian Auto Expo is likely to witness two major car unveils by India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki, in the form of the YL1 sedan and the YL7 hatchback. While the YL7 hatchback, also known as the next-gen 2014 Suzuki Alto internationally, will replace the likes of the current A-Star and the Estilo hatchbacks in India, the YL1 code-named sedan is likely to replace the SX4 sedan, a slow seller by Maruti Suzuki's lofty standards.

In line with Team-BHP's multiple scoops (Click here, here, here and here) of the YL1 sedan's various details and features including stylistic changes, Maruti Suzuki has begun testing its latest sedan on Indian roads. The images used in this report are those sent by Team-BHP reader Saugat Sanyal, who followed the car all the way from Gurgaon to Dhaula Kuan, in the National Capital Region. The camouflaged test car is indeed a YL1 sedan. 

The YL1 sedan, as detailed in our earlier scoops, is likely to go on sale in the second half of next year. The car will be available with both petrol and turbo diesel engines. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely. The interiors will feature a premium fit and finish while the essential safety features of ABS+EBD and twin airbags will be standard on the top end variants. The top-end variants of the YL1 will ride on 16 inch rims shod with 195 section rubber. 

Here's a quick recap of what to expect on the 2014 Maruti Suzuki YL1 sedan:

• The YL1 sedan could retain the ample ground clearance that the current generation SX4 features, and along with it the relatively taller stance compared to other C-segment cars sold in India. 
• The space (leg room) offered by the YL1's rear seat is said to rival that of the Nissan Sunny/Renault Scala sedans.
• Since the car is based on the Swift/Ertiga platform, parts sharing will be the norm with many interior parts borrowed from the Swift. 
• Similarly, the engines are expected to be shared with other Suzuki cars, with the 1.4 liter K-Series petrol and the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbo diesel engines being the two motors on offer. 
• The gearbox's feel is similar to that of the Swift/Ertiga, once again a hint of extensive parts sharing. 
• The variants (LXi, LDi, VXi, VDi, ZXi and ZDi) will retain the traditional naming scheme found on current Maruti Suzuki cars. 
• Hydraulic engine mounts and heavy damping are expected to be the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) deadening factors in the diesel powered model.
• The car, inspired by the Suzuki AuthenticS concept, will ride on 16 inch wheels on 195 section rubber, while the base variant will make do with 15 inchers.