The Eeco is a spacious car which is built on the platform of Versa and it maintains a similar design to that of the Versa but the Eeco comes with a small and lighter engine. Developed by local engineers, the total development cost of the vehicle as Rs.600 million. Shinzo Nakanishi, managing director, Maruti Suzuki said that the Versa gave them a lot of learning but it did not sell much. They hoped that the demand for the new Maruti Eeco will be good as it is reasonably priced. Nitrobahn reports:
The EECO comes slightly lower (1800mm) than the other MPV’s from the Maruti staple like the aging Maruti Omni and Versa. The EECO is 3675 mm long, 1475 mm wide, with a wheel base of 2350 mm and a turning radius of a reasonable 4.5 meters. Some of the notable features include sliding driver seats, dual-tone styling, tubeless tyres, and a powerful braking system.
Colors: Metallic Glistening Grey; Metallic Silky Silver; Metallic Midnight Black;
Metallic Blue Blaze; Bright Red;
Fuel efficiency: 15.1 kmpl
Engine: The Maruti Eeco comes with a 1,200 cc engine, transmission system that produces 73 bhp @6000rpm, a high torque of 101Nm@3000rpm. Maruti Suzuki incoporated its latest engine management system. The high-pressure-injection system combined with optimized injectors produces better atomization resulting in low emissions and fuel consumption.
Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission system with the Diagonal Shift
Assistance (DSA) technology.
Emission: The Eeco is the fourth model to adopt BS-IV compliant and ELV compliant. Indian government would start following the BS-IV from April 1, 2010.
The car uses ecologically harmful substances such as Chromium, Cadmium, Mercury and Lead only within the permissible limits as per European standards. This ensures that the materials of the vehicle are recyclable. It is also BS-IV compliant which the Indian government would start implementing from April 2010.
Price: The non-AC version 5-seater would cost Rs.2,58,000.
The 7-seater non-AC version costs Rs. 2,71,000.
The 5-seather AC version would cost Rs.2,89,000.
Here is the press release from Maruti Suzuki:
Maruti Suzuki launches Eeco
All-new spacious family car to sport new 1,200 cc engine, transmission system
· Focus on ‘A Big Car’ with space and
comfort for family
· Superior functionality and drivability
· Flexi-seating with 5 and 7 seater options
· Roomy interiors
· Sliding doors add to ease entry and exit
· Air-conditioning
· Range of six exhilarating colours
· BS-IV compliant
· Superior, in-house developed 1200 cc
petrol engine with 73 bhp power
· First-time ever DSA transmission
· Petrol Fuel efficiency 15.1 kmpl
· Beige and grey dual-tone interiors
· High ground clearance
· ELV compliant
manufacturer, has launched Eeco, an all-new spacious family car.
The Maruti Suzuki Eeco is a five-door, C segment vehicle, which has been specifically
designed for
Eeco comes with a new, powerful and highly fuel efficient 1200 cc engine. This new
engine delivers 73 bhp of raw power @6000rpm, a high torque of 101Nm@3000rpm
specifically designed to meet the Indian driving conditions.
The Eeco comes with a flexi design, offering 7-Seater and 5-seater options. It also offers
air-conditioning.
On the occasion, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki said,
“Eeco performs the twin objectives of being a spacious family car and a dependable
vehicle to run businesses. Maruti Suzuki engineers have especially developed the Eeco,
its new powerful engine, and a new transmission system to meet the diverse consumer
aspirations that look for a vehicle that fits a large family and at the same time provides
flexibility for dual use. Towards this objective, Eeco will be a new powerful attraction.”
Maruti Suzuki is spearheading the adoption of more stringent BSIV norms and Eeco is
the fourth model to meet these norms well ahead of the April 2010 deadline.
In line with the Maruti Suzuki philosophy of making its range of vehicles environment
friendly, Eeco is yet another offering from Maruti Suzuki stable which is ELV compliant.
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Styling: Exterior and Interior
The Eeco is designed to meet the functional needs of its owner – be it personal such as an
outing with family or for business.
Its exterior continues the long standing Maruti Suzuki tradition of combining functional
design with spacious volume. Trendy and contemporary body graphics adorn the sides of
car giving it an appealing look. With balanced proportions, the 155/R13LT sized tubeless
tyres add to the smooth, yet powerful drive with a good grip on the road.
The dual tone interiors in shades of beige and grey provide a rich and spacious feeling.
The seats have been especially designed with integrated head-rest to make for a
comfortable ride. The digital meter cluster adds to the driver convenience as well as a
sophisticated feel.
Stance and Space
The overall dimensions make the vehicle spacious and stable. The proportions lend an
outstanding ergonomic layout with ample legroom and headroom at the front and rear for
passengers apart from providing a comfortable driving position. The presence of sliding
doors offers eases entry and exit for passengers even in congested road conditions.
Safety
The Eeco platform complies with all safety norms prevailing in the country. The turning
radius of 4.5 metres with suspension system, tuned specifically for Indian road conditions,
offers superior riding comfort, stability and handling.
Superior 1200 cc petrol engine
Eeco has a powerful new four-cylinder 1200cc engine, which has been conceived and
designed at Maruti Suzuki. The concept given to the engine designers was to deliver the
best fuel efficiency and at the same time, make it more driver-friendly.
Maruti Suzuki engineers worked on incorporating the latest technologies for making this
engine deliver the best fuel efficiency in its class, while meeting the driveability
requirements of the Indian consumer.
The engine management system incorporated in the vehicle is the latest from Maruti
Suzuki. A high-pressure-injection system with optimized injectors has resulted in better
atomization resulting in low emissions and fuel consumption.
A high compression ratio was chosen for this engine to improve the Combustion
efficiency. At the same time, engineers incorporated a knock sensor to protect the engine
Page 3 of 4
in case of any fuel variations. This combination also helped in improving the low end
torque response from the engine making it more drivable in low-speed city traffic
conditions. Intake and exhaust systems were optimized for proper breathing and hence
smoother power delivery across the full rpm range.
Maruti Suzuki engineers also worked on the friction development of the engine to
improve fuel consumption. The engine features low friction design pistons and rings, low
viscous engine oil, which makes it possible for this 1.2 litre engine to churn out a
maximum power of 73 bhp and a maximum torque of 101 Nm and at the same time
delivering a superior fuel-economy of 15.1kmpl, while meeting BSIV Emission norms.
Superior power train with DSA technology
The Eeco uses the 5-speed manual transmission system with the Diagonal Shift
Assistance (DSA) technology__which has been extensively worked on to match the new
engine to provide better fuel consumption. This DSA technology leads to an improved
and gliding diagonal gear shift. The system eases diagonal motion and allows for a gear
change without any break in continuity of the action, thereby improving the gear shift
feeling.
Environment friendly
The Eeco is ELV (End of Life for Vehicles) compliant which means it uses Lead,
Cadmium, Mercury and Chromium within permissible limits. All four of these substances
can cause irreparable damage to the environment if used indiscriminately. The ELV
regulations are yet to be adapted by the Indian automobile industry. In addition, the BS
IV compliant, environment friendly engine makes the Eeco truly
among C segment vehicles
Specially Designed for
Having been specially designed for
allows for a smooth and comfortable ride on rough Indian roads. All seats, front, middle
or rear are equally convenient to access and individually designed to be comfortable.
Eeco is available with air-conditioning option to combat the extreme climates in the
country.
These features make Eeco the most suitable vehicle for large Indian families that want a
vehicle for both – work and family outings and fun together.
A team of engineers worked on Eeco for over two years when it was subjected to various
rigorous R&D tests regarding safety, stability, transmission system, engine system
durability and calibration, Fuel compatibility, passenger comfort among others.
Page 4 of 4
Eeco represents the growing expertise of Maruti Suzuki engineers to conceive, design
and produce vehicles in
vision of turning
Eeco is offered in an array of six exhilarating colors:
_ Metallic Glistening Grey _ Metallic Silky Silver _ Metallic Midnight Black
_ Metallic Blue Blaze _ Bright Red _ Superior White
For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications,
Maruti Suzuki India Limited,
Vasant Kunj,
Ph: 91-11-46075414, 46781113-1115, 46781000
Website: www.marutisuzuki.com
Aditya Chatterjee / Anubha Vaish
Adfactors PR Pvt Ltd
Ph: 91-11-40565100
Website: www.adfactorspr.com
At the Delhi Auto Expo Maruti Suzuki also showcased an electric version named “Eeco Charge.” It is developed by Maruti engineers but the company will not launch it pretty soon. Maruti Suzuki is planning to introduce a CNG version of the Eeco.