Maruti launches Dezire CNG AMT: what the EMI works out to on Rs 1 lakh down payment

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has launched a CNG automatic version of its popular sedan, the Dezire. Its starting ex-showroom price is Rs 8.53 lakh. The car is available in two trims, VXi and ZXi. The company had earlier launched the Swift CNG AMT and Baleno CNG AMT, and this version of the Dezire is the next part of the same powertrain update.

On the engine, the new Dezire CNG AMT gets the company's 1.2-litre Z-series petrol engine. In CNG mode, this engine generates 68.7bhp of power and 101Nm of torque. It comes with the option of a 5-speed automatic, or AMT, gearbox, while the standard version gets a 5-speed manual gearbox. On mileage, the CNG AMT version has an ARAI-certified claimed mileage of 36.47km/kg, while the manual version's figure is 33.73km/kg. The car's boot has a 55-litre CNG tank fitted, and the standard version has a boot capacity of 382 litres.

On price, the VXi CNG AMT has an ex-showroom price of Rs 8,53,100, and with registration charges of Rs 64,517 and insurance of Rs 44,151 added, the on-road price in New Delhi comes to Rs 9,61,768. The top model, ZXi CNG AMT, has an ex-showroom price of Rs 9,53,700, and with registration charges of Rs 71,559 and insurance of Rs 47,853 added, the on-road price comes to Rs 10,73,112.

On features, these CNG AMT models are the same as the regular petrol VXi and ZXi trims. The top model ZXi gets features such as 15-inch painted alloy wheels, LED headlights, a multi-information display, a reverse camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, wireless phone mirroring, a 7.0-inch infotainment system with a wireless charger, climate control with rear vents, and rear USB-C fast charging ports.

Now for the EMI. On a down payment of Rs 1 lakh, assuming a tenure of 5 years (60 months) and an annual interest rate of 9 percent, the loan amount for the VXi CNG AMT of Rs 8,61,768 works out to an estimated EMI of Rs 17,889 a month. For the top model ZXi CNG AMT, a loan of Rs 9,73,112 works out to an estimated EMI of Rs 20,201 a month. Note that these are on-road prices for Delhi, and may vary slightly depending on your city's RTO rates, insurance, the bank's actual interest rate and your credit score.

If the 5-year EMI seems high, the instalment can also be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the tenure. For the VXi CNG AMT, a 3-year (36-month) tenure brings the EMI to Rs 27,411, while a 7-year (84-month) tenure brings it down to Rs 13,858.

Maruti has come a little late to the CNG AMT segment, but the entry of the Dezire CNG AMT is expected to encourage other companies to enter this segment as well. The car is expected to be popular among urban customers who prefer lower fuel costs and driving convenience. In the market, the Dezire CNG AMT will go up directly against the Tata Tigor CNG AMT, whose new updated version is expected to arrive next month.