OVERVIEW
The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy King is one of the iconic Maruti Suzuki cars in India. Based on Suzuki’s conventional SJ design, it has always been appreciated for robust body-built and performance. The SUV has a practical yet outdated design. Although, having a slightly longer wheelbase and high ground clearance, it looks sporty and outgoing. It features a mesh type front grille and small rounded headlamps, shod with steel rims, simple side profile and a spare tyre on 5th door at the rear. The interior is well-designed and practical. The high-positioned front seats offer better visibility. The soft top version has two center facing benches, while the hard top version gets regular bench. Seats are comfortable, but the car is scarcely equipped with comfort-enhancing features. Powering the Gypsy is a 1248cc, SOHC, MPFI engine that delivers a maximum power of 80bhp at 4500rpm with 103Nm of torque at 4500rpm. However, it isn’t one of the fuel efficient Maruti Suzuki cars in India. Mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the regular HT and ST variants deliver a mileage of 12kmpl in city and 14kmpl on highways, while the HT Ambulance model offers 14kmpl and 16kmpl on urban roads and freeways, respectively. It can accelerate 0-100kmph in 16.4 seconds. The off-roading performance is excellent, thanks to its robust suspension, though the city drivability isn’t up-to the mark
EXTERIORS AND DESIGN
The Gypsy has received only minor exterior changes and most of them were made keeping in mind practicality. The overall styling is robust and simple and the ‘purpose built design’ makes it looks outdated. The straight lines are similar to those found on the Force Motors Trax. The Hard Top version features a fiber reinforced plastic top and the Soft Top uses a foldable windscreen and removable canvas top.
The front has a vertical grille flanked by two round headlights with rectangular housings. Enhancing the strong off road character are the oversized wheel arches and the windshield design has a very abrupt angle. The boxy shape, the three doors configuration, the footsteps and the spare wheel on the sideways opening lid are all common features of a sturdy SUV. The 15inch wheels are wrapped in 205/70 tyres.
INTERIOR AND SPACE
The interiors have a pretty good feel and you are high up as-well as that, planted secure feel. The gear lever is placed such that you enjoy the pure feel of the manual gearbox and the manual steering, it’s an absolute joy to drive a gypsy. Maruti Suzuki has even provided with a air-blower which is a very thoughtful feature. There is a lockable glove compartment and a grab-handle featured in the dashboard of the gypsy. The doors have manual windows and the doors could be removed by just using a screwdriver when needed. Rear seats are side facing pretty much primitive but can accommodate 8 people in the vehicle with ease, the rear seats can be modified by a local dealer and make them front facing seats which can accommodate 5 people with good comfort levels. Leg room even in the front can house a six footer with ease but there might be a small issue with the indicator and wiper stalks touching the knees. Visibility is fair enough for a compact SUV and the windshield is comparatively small but its adequate enough to provide good visibility in rough terrains.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Powering the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is a 1,298cc G13BB multi-port fuel injected 16 valve petrol engine that generates 81 hp at 6,000 rpm and 103 Nm at 4,500 rpm. There is no diesel engine, however, the petrol engine is responsive and has a lot of grunt for off-road expeditions
The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has only one transmission option of a 5-speed manual gearbox with a two-speed transfer constant mesh. The high ratio on the four-wheel-drive is 1:1.409 and the low ratio is 1:2.268.
The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has side impact beams along with a rigid body structure. The vehicle also features a distributor less ignition, which enhances the water-wading capacity. The SUV also has a hydraulic clutch for the cooling fan that turns off the radiator fan when the engine is operating under optimium temprature
The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has an ARAI mileage of 11.96 km/l for the 1.3 L 16 valve petrol engine which is acceptable considering its off-road capability and non-aerodynamic design.
DRIVING DYNAMICS
Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is a perfect car on any terrain under any weather condition. When driving on the hills, higher ground clearance ensures better off-road capability and the diaphragm spring clutch helps reduce wearing off of parts. When driving in snowy conditions, the high thermal conductivity of the engine ensures that it is effectively ignited even in the midst of snow. Moreover, the lighter weight of engine enhances power output, traction and responsiveness. High thermal conductivity of the engine ensures that there is no overheating and the car drives smoothly even in the hot deserted areas. Gypsy also has a higher power-to-weight ratio that ensures faster and safer acceleration through streams and muddy terrain. The gypsy is a lighter vehicle weighing at 1020 kg (hard top) and 985 kg (soft top). Gypsy also has higher ground clearance of 210 mm to ensure better off-road handling.
CONCLUSSION
It provides you with an unique driving experience,it is a huge fun to drive,it gives you that special wind-in-the-hair feeling,it has a good ground clearance,it is tough and reliable,can seat eight,can go to places where no other car dares to go,is your faithful companion for a great outing,comes from a company which has widespread a dealership network,makes that idiot in front of you run who otherwise doesn?t let you go??well Iam pretty inclined towards it.
Well seriously,it doesn?t give a good mileage,is a bit overpriced,can make you wait a while before it finally arrives in a showroom near you for you,leave you searching for a suitable parking area, knock rear occupants by jumping, will not provide you with a good ride??
Now decide! As for me, still I would still prefer the Gypsy and advice people like me to go for.Emi calculator for Maruti Suzuki Gypsy