The Hindu Business Line : What's special in WagonR Primea

CLOSE on the heels of the competition's attempts at infusing some exclusivity to their premium B-segment offerings, Maruti Udyog, too, has joined the limited edition race with the WagonR Primea.

Launched earlier this week, the new limited edition WagonR Primea has been in the works for sometime now. The carmaker is hoping, like Hyundaiand other competitors, that the special editions will rekindle interest in these ageing (relatively speaking) cars.

Maruti Udyog's `special limited edition' of the WagonR, Primea, comes with an interesting two-tone interior colour plan and colour co-ordinated beige upholstery for the seats and door inserts. It will be available in the all the major cities.

Premium fabric, a two-tone, two-spoke, leather steering wheel and co-ordinated fake wood centre console garnish are being featured to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle's interior.

Some of the other exclusive features, including alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a chrome muffler cap, stylish body graphics and body coloured door-handles give the exterior a more premium finish.

The new WagonR Primea also comes with a new design speedometer with a halo effect and the new watermark is expected to add to the distinctiveness of the special edition. Keyless entry is also being provided for increased convenience to the customer.

The WagonR had been a bit of a late starter in terms of sales volumes, but witnessed an impressive 57 per cent growth in 2004-05. In the first six months this fiscal (2005-06), WagonR grew 14 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

Though this is an attractive growth rate, the remaining half of this fiscal may not be all that rosy, as in-house competition from the Suzuki Swift could eat right into its sales.

The cumulative sales of the WagonR have crossed 2.5 lakh units and it continues to contribute to Maruti's leadership in the B-segment, but it just may need props such as the limited edition to keep its sales ticking.

According to Maruti, the name `Primea' is meant to connote premiumness. For the demanding consumer, the new limited edition promises to offer the luxury of an A3 (C) segment car in the premium compact range. The Primea will be available in two new metallic colours — Midnight Black and a new Champagne Gold colour.

The car is being priced at Rs 3.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), very attractive considering the low price differential with the current top-end VXi variant.

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