One of India’s best selling small cars Maruti Suzuki Wagon R may be all set to get a facelift. In its light vehicle production forecast for India, US-based automotive research firm CSM Worldwide has stated that the existing Wagon R — that is developed on the YJ0 platform — will be discontinued in June this year to be replaced by a car based on a new platform — YV4 — from July onwards. Maruti, on its part, has denied having any such plans.

According to CSM, the new car will sport a similar 1.1 litre gasoline, 16-valve engine with single overhead camshaft, but will be markedly different in terms of interior and exterior styling, chassis, suspension, transmission and even bodystyle.

Production of the current Wagon R started in February 2000, and over the years it underwent just one minor change when the Duo (petrol + LPG) was launched in mid-2006.

Maruti has a policy of revamping old models from time to time and products like the flagship Maruti 800 to the Zen have gone under the knife more than once. But unlike others, which were revamped due to sagging sales, the current Wagon R continues to hold firm in an otherwise tepid market.

Though individual product sales are never officially divulged, according to industry estimates, the Wagon R saw robust sales last year, and in the nine-month period between April-December sold over 98,000 units — emerging as the highest selling model in the Maruti stable after the Alto. On an average, the Wagon R is selling around 10,000-11,000 units a month.

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