The Hindu Business Line : Question 'N' Auto

I RECENTLY purchased a Maruti Swift Zxi, thinking that it would be a significant step forward for Maruti vis-à-vis its earlier and current offerings. But I feel short-changed. Maruti has made several changes to the vehicle to reduce prices and that has led to the Indian Swift being a poor version of the globally available model. First, we get an older, less powerful engine. Second, the black glass A-pillar cladding has been swapped for cheap plastic ones that destroy the visual appeal of the car.

However, the worst modification has been with the wheels and ground clearance. Rather than looking squat and low like the global model, the Indian Swift has about four extra centimetres of ground clearance and even the ZXi's 185/70 R14s seem to float in those massive wheel arches. The car looks like it would topple in a stiff crosswind. I've also heard reports of the tubeless JK Vectra tyres not being as good as what Maruti claimed them to be.

Therefore, I want to change both the wheels and the tyres to reduce ground clearance by at least 2-4 cm and alsofilling up those gaping wheel arches. What size wheels should I purchase? I would like to have slightly lower profile tyres (perhaps 185/50 or 200/50) as well as larger wheels (R16's or even larger). However, if the wheels are larger, and the tyres are only slightly shorter, wouldn't the ground clearance increase further? Is there any solution to the problem? Would I have to tinker with the suspension, and if so, what exactly needs to be done?

Sid

The Suzuki Swift was conceived and kitted out for the Indian market in keeping with the car's eventual positioning in the premium B-segment. There are a number of variables that need to be considered, especially for cars that are brought in from a company's international stable. So, the global version cannot just be lifted out of the mature, developed markets and introduced inthe Indian market, as consumers here are extremely conscious about value-for-money pricing, low maintenance costs, rugged build and fuel efficiency.

So, as you would agree, most users of the small car category (including the premium B-segment) are less demanding about the car's engine being tuned for performance. The Suzuki Swift has obviously been conceived and localised for the Indian market keeping these issues in mind. The older and less powerful engine is clearly meant to cater to just the kind of demands of the average buyer in this segment. He may not be upset about being given a retuned, reworked version of the Esteem's 1.3 litre engine as long as it is more fuel-efficient and peppier that its ilk, which is exactly what the Swift's burner offers.

That is not to say that Maruti is right to have not offered a bigger, more powerful engine as an option with the Swift. Hopefully, they will see the need and the demand for such an option as the market matures. Some of the other observations made by you about cheap parts also come around to the same point about keeping maintenance and replacement costs low. By just offering a refined version of the Esteem's 1.3 litre engine, Maruti has also ensured that manufacturing costs and replacement costs are kept low.

As for ground clearance, remember that almost all the cars brought into India undergo an alteration in this department. Raising the ground clearance is inevitable owing to poor road conditions and big speed breakers. There is only so much that a not-so-expensive suspension set-up can do to cushion the car's ride without bottoming out every time you hit a pothole or speed breaker. Though it was in the sedan segment, one of the cars with low ground clearance was the Daewoo Cielo. With a low clearance, not only is the ride likely to be bumpy on bad roads, but it can also damage the car's underbody and wheel wells.

Yes, the thinner 165/80 R14 tyres in the lower spec variants of the Swift do give the car a weak, less squat appearance. But the wider, higher aspect 185/70 R14 tyre in the ZXi variant does give the car a more squat, sturdy look. Yes, the wheel arches are much deeper and the tyres don't fill out the space, but that is due to the higher ground clearance requirement. Also, lower profile, higher aspect tyres will lower the car's fuel efficiency and that is not something that Maruti car buyers will like much.

As for the performance of the new tubeless tyres, they employ a new type of rubber compound to make the ride firm, yet soft. There has not been any specific feedback or complaints about the new tyres, though individual experiences may vary.

Changing the wheels and the tyres with the objective of trying to fill out the large wheel arches may not be a good idea. One, it may not be possible to do that without simultaneously changing the suspension set-up, which will make it a very expensive proposition. You may want to choose a 15-inch wheel and a higher aspect tyre combo, but that will still leave a gap between the tyre and the wheel arch. Choosing a bigger wheel and lower profile tyres will also lead to fall in fuel efficiency and a decline in the ride quality, since more of the road's undulations will be felt inside the cabin. Oversized wheels and tyres may also lead to tyre wear and damage to the car's body panels in case the tyres hit the top of the wheel well.

A simpler way to deal with the situation is by upgrading to the ZXi's higher aspect tyres (if you have a lower trim variant) and by replacing the steel rim wheels with an attractive alloy wheel set (in lower trim variants). This may help pull the onlooker's attention away from the gap in the wheel arches. Lowering the suspension a bit will also be possible, but ride quality will be compromised.

Sid

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