Zen Estilo: The Spanish Tango

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The first Zen magic happened sometime in 1993. Many called it India's first World Car. What an euphoria it created! Maruti basked in that glory and notched up some superlative sales. Exports, well that also happened. Thirteen years later, Maruti wants to create a similar magic across India with Zen Estilo. Maruti managing director Jagdish Khattar is not bothered about the fact that the Indian hatchback market is already overcrowded. For him Zen is like Mandrake's Zanadu. Once you are inside the car , you will feel the comfort zone. Estilo in Spanish is style and to keep the moods and spirits high, Khattar got India's top designer Tarun Tahiliani to host a show at the launch. What is the connection? Do not look for the connection, Khattar told Benedict Ray. Just buy one and move out on the roads for a dream drive. Will you? India's leading car manufacturer has made news with a tinge of Spanish. Zen Estilo is cheaper than Zen, aimed at the youth, and launched with fashion divas across the country. Maruti, which has pegged the vehicle at an aggressive Rs 3.19 lakh entry-level price tag [the top end is around Rs 400,000], also hopes to touch the export market with this one. For the records, the cheapest air-conditioned Hyundai Santro is priced at around Rs 3.24 lakh. Estilo, based on Suzuki's MR-Wagon platform, is powered by a 1.1-litre engine. Zen Estilo is roomier than the original Zen, comes with a bigger engine (1061 cc), is taller, offers more boot space and superior air conditioning. It delivers 64 bhp and its low end torque of 84 nm (at 3500 rpm) makes it ideal for Indian city conditions. Estilo comes in a mono form shape that makes it clean, smooth and uncluttered. Thoughtful emphasis is given to horizontal lines & features to give it visual stability. The front of the car, with its cute grille, a bumper feature surrounding it, and sparkling eyes gives the impression of a happy face. Estilo comes with an aero look instrument panel, a colourful yet precise meter cluster, and a soft feel 3-spoke steering wheel. The new Zen Estilo comes with an eight colour line-up offering vivid and chromatic colours, some of them offered for the first time. The company has chosen interesting colours like Purple Fusion, Champagne Beige, Virgin Blue and Olive Green for Zen, to go with the car's Stylish image. Overall, it is a great buy. Maruti managing director Jagdish M Khattar knows the Zen has always been loved for its looks, styling and performance. Over time, it has acquired the stature of an iconic brand. And like any iconic brand, the Zen's popularity derives from the emotions and passion it evokes, far beyond the product's function and utility. Khattar, happy with the style and looks of Estilo, wants to focus on a double digit growth figure, feels the small car market will boom for long and eventually have other auto majors in that segment. What about Estilo? Khattar is over the moon with the car and its design. In an candid interview, he told Benedict Ray that he is confident of recreating the mid-90 magic Maruti created in India with Zen.