The Swift Sedan Dzire has been launched on Wednesday. Dzire is the seventh model launched by Maruti Suzuki in the last three years.

Maruti plans to further consolidate its position in the entry level mid-size car segment after SX4 launched in 2007 continues to top the list this year. The car is available in petrol and diesel version with three variants for each version. The diesel cars get extra power as they are equipped with the turbocharger and an intercooler.

The petrol variant will cost from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The diesel version will cost Rs 5.39 lakh to Rs 6.8lakh. The car comes fitted with a 1.3liter petrol engine and the diesel variants get a 1.3liter DDIs diesel engines churning out 87bhp (petrol)and 75bhp(diesel).

Dzire will also get features like the integrated stereo (VXi, VDi, LXi and LDi), steering wheel mounted with audio controls; automatic temperature controls and power windows and safety features front passenger dual airbags (LXi and LDi). These features appear in entry levels sedans for the first time in the country. These are also for the first time that Suzuki cars sold in India have got such high end features. Manual air conditioning features in base and middle variants. A rear window defogger also comes standard on cars sold in colder places.

"Dzire has a special place in Maruti’s product strategy. India has a huge market for compact cars. However, increasing incomes and better lifestyle, have given millions of people an option to upgrade to sedans. But there is a vacuum when you want an entry level sedan that offers you style, features and performance. Dzire offers all this, and more at a very attractive price," Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director S Nakanishi said.

Dzire has replaced the 18 year old mid-sized sedan Esteem which was discontinued, recently, due to falling sales. However, Maruti Suzuki continues to be the leader of the A3 segment with SX4, selling 41,000 units from the time of its launch in 2007 to February. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), this is the highest number of entry level cars sold by any manufacturer in India in one year period.