About Maruti Ignis Alpha Dual Tone
Hey there, car enthusiasts and future car owners! Choosing a new car in India is a big decision, isn’t it? You’re probably juggling a lot of thoughts: your budget, how safe the car is for your family, the monthly maintenance costs, the latest features you want, and of course, the peace of mind that comes with reliable company service. Well, if you’re looking for a compact car that tries to tick many of these boxes with a dash of unique style, then you’ve landed on the right page. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the Maruti Ignis Alpha Dual Tone, a car that has carved its own niche in the Indian market with its distinctive design and Maruti Suzuki’s trusted badge. Let’s find out if this “funky” urban car is the perfect match for your garage!
Main Highlights
Engine Specifications
The heart of the Maruti Ignis is a reliable and fuel-efficient unit, perfect for city commutes and occasional highway runs.
- Engine Type: 1.2L K12N DualJet Petrol engine
- Displacement: 1197 cc
- Max Power: 83 PS at 6000 rpm
- Max Torque: 113 Nm at 4200 rpm
- Mileage: Around 20.89 km/l (ARAI certified, varies with transmission and driving conditions)
Design Overview
The Ignis stands out from the crowd with its unconventional styling, especially in its Alpha Dual Tone avatar.
Exterior Design
- Unique Stance: It has a tall boy design combined with SUV-like elements, giving it a commanding presence for its size.
- Dual Tone Appeal: The Alpha Dual Tone variant gets contrasting roof colours, making it look even more youthful and vibrant.
- Distinctive Front: Features a U-shaped grille, integrated LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs, and bold fog lamp surrounds.
- Rear Styling: A simple yet muscular rear with prominent tail lamps and a rugged bumper design.
- Alloy Wheels: Stylish alloy wheels further enhance its premium appeal.
Interior Design
- Spacious Cabin: Despite its compact exterior, the Ignis offers surprisingly good cabin space, especially headroom.
- Clean Dashboard: A minimalistic yet functional dashboard design with a floating touchscreen infotainment system.
- Quality: While built to a budget, the materials feel sturdy for the segment.
- Comfort: Comfortable seating for four adults, with decent legroom.
Key Features
The Alpha Dual Tone variant, being the top-end trim, comes loaded with a host of features to enhance your driving experience.
- SmartPlay Studio Infotainment: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
- Connectivity: Supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for seamless smartphone integration.
- Automatic Climate Control: Maintains desired cabin temperature automatically.
- Push Start/Stop Button: For keyless engine ignition.
- Steering Mounted Controls: For audio and call management.
- Reverse Parking Camera: Aids in hassle-free parking.
- Rear Wiper & Defogger: Essential for clear visibility during adverse weather.
- Electrically Adjustable and Foldable ORVMs: Convenience at your fingertips.
- LED Projector Headlamps with DRLs: For better illumination and distinctive styling.
Ground Clearance
- The Maruti Ignis offers a healthy 180 mm of ground clearance, which is quite good for tackling Indian roads and mild off-roading.
Boot Space
- The Ignis provides a decent 260 litres of boot space, which is adequate for daily use and weekend trips.
Dimensions
- Length: 3700 mm
- Width: 1690 mm
- Height: 1595 mm
- Wheelbase: 2435 mm
Powertrain Options
The Maruti Ignis comes with a single engine option but offers two transmission choices:
- 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)
- 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
Safety Features
Maruti Suzuki has equipped the Ignis with essential safety features to keep occupants secure.
- Dual Front Airbags
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
- Rear Parking Sensors
- ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
- Seat Belt Reminders for Driver and Co-driver
- High Speed Alert System
NCAP Rating Table
Safety is a prime concern for Indian car buyers. Here’s how the Ignis fares in crash tests:
| Test Agency |
Adult Occupant Safety Rating |
Child Occupant Safety Rating |
Notes |
| Global NCAP |
2 Stars |
1 Star |
Rating for the previous generation Ignis tested in 2017. Current model features more standard safety. |
| Bharat NCAP |
Not Yet Tested |
Not Yet Tested |
The Ignis is yet to be tested under the new Bharat NCAP protocols. |
Rivals of Maruti Ignis Alpha Dual Tone
The Maruti Ignis competes in a challenging segment, going up against some popular choices:
- Tata Punch
- Hyundai Exter
- Citroen C3
- Nissan Magnite (lower variants)
- Renault Kiger (lower variants)
How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)
Every car has its strengths and weaknesses, and the Maruti Ignis Alpha Dual Tone is no exception. Here’s a balanced look:
Advantages
- Unique Styling: Stands out from conventional hatchbacks with its funky, SUV-like design, especially the dual-tone options.
- Refined K-Series Engine: The 1.2L engine is smooth, peppy, and very fuel-efficient, ideal for city driving.
- Compact Dimensions: Easy to navigate through congested city traffic and park in tight spots.
- High Ground Clearance: At 180 mm, it handles broken roads and speed breakers with ease, a big plus for Indian conditions.
- Comfortable Ride: The suspension is well-tuned to absorb most bumps and undulations, offering a comfortable ride.
- AMT Convenience: The optional AMT makes driving in city traffic much more relaxed.
- Maruti Suzuki Network: Unmatched service network and easy availability of spare parts ensure low maintenance costs and peace of mind.
- Features Rich (Alpha variant): The top Alpha trim gets you all the modern conveniences like the SmartPlay Studio, automatic AC, and push-button start.
Disadvantages
- Controversial Styling: While unique, its design is not universally loved and might be a deal-breaker for some.
- Global NCAP Rating: The 2-star rating from Global NCAP (for an older model) might be a concern for safety-conscious buyers, even with improved standard safety features in the current model.
- Cabin Plastics: While functional, some plastic parts in the cabin feel a bit basic compared to some rivals.
- Lack of Advanced Features: Misses out on some modern features offered by competitors, such as a sunroof, 360-degree camera, or wireless charging.
- Rear Seat Width: While legroom is decent, seating three adults comfortably in the rear can be a squeeze.
- Highway Performance: While capable, the engine might feel a bit strained during high-speed overtakes on highways.
Conclusion
The Maruti Ignis Alpha Dual Tone is an interesting proposition for those who want something different from the usual hatchback. It’s a car that brings a youthful, energetic vibe to your daily commute. With its robust engine, high ground clearance, compact dimensions, and Maruti Suzuki’s unparalleled after-sales service, it makes a compelling case for itself as an urban warrior.
Yes, its design might be polarizing, and the Global NCAP safety rating (of a previous version) might raise questions for some. However, if you’re looking for a reliable, fuel-efficient, easy-to-drive city car with a touch of uniqueness and all the essential features in its top trim, the Ignis Alpha Dual Tone deserves a serious look. Test drive it, experience its peppy nature, and see if its distinctive charm matches your personality and needs. Happy car hunting!