Variants:
The new Cultus will be available in two variants. A VXL and VXR. VXL being the top trim level with all available features and equipment.
Blue is VXL, while the White one is VXR
Engine:
Being in under 1000cc category, both variants will be powered by a Suzuki’s famous multi-point injection K10B 998cc engine. This engine has power output of 68hp@6000 rpm and manages to produce 90NM @ 3500 rpm of torque figures. Life abroad is a little different, internationally this car is being offered with a Duel Jet engine K10C engine, which we are not expecting to be offered in Pakistan.
Transmission :
Let’s put one thing straight, this car will NOT be offered with an automatic transmission. Many of us were expecting an automatic transmission for the first time in this category by a local car company but our reports confirm that there will be NO automatic transmission for Cultus. Both VXL and VXR will be equipped with a conventional 5-speed manual.
Suspension and associated components:
Both variants of the new Suzuki Cultus will have MacPherson strut with coil spring at the front, while Torsion-beam with coil spring in the rear. In terms of brakes, this car will come with ventilated disc brakes at front and drum brakes at the rear as standard. Both variants, VXL & VXR will get an electric rack & pinion steering wheel. The tilt steering function might make it to VXL trim only.
Exterior:
There are a lot of things to talk about this segment so I will list down everything and make it more worthy of your attention:
- Body Highlights: Predictably Pak-Suzuki will be making both these trims visually distinctive from each other. How? VXL, top of the line model of new Cultus will come with body colored and chromed fixtures on its exterior. This model -VXL- will get a chrome front grill while the body color door handles as well as body colored side view mirrors. Meanwhile, VXR will have a black front grill, black door handles and black side view mirrors.
- VXL will also get fog lights as standard, while VXR will be offered without this option.
- VXR will come with steel wheels, while the VXL will come with alloy wheels.
- Both VXL and VXR will carry 165 /65 R14 wheels.
- Halogen reflector headlights are standard on both variants.
- In some international markets, the smaller reflector in the headlight is programmed to run as daytime running lights (DRLs) but I believe that this function will be introduced in the new Cultus as well.
- Both VXL and VXR get a high mounted stop lamp mounted on the rear hatch. Unlike European version of Celerio, here there is is no rear wiper on both variants which makes it little odd because nowadays a rear wiper on hatchbacks is a standard feature.
- Both models get a whip type antenna centrally mounted on the roof near the windshield.
Interior
There some fast facts which will differentiate the VXL and VXR. Same as external, VXL use some chrome parts at certain locations while VXR is without. Chrome trims pieces around ventilation vents, as well is a “U” shaped trim piece around the central portion of dashboard which holds the radio unit and HVAC controls. The chrome trim will also be found on the gear shift lever knob. VXR will not get these chrome parts and will have plain black plastic pieces. Both VXL and VXR will be equipped with an immobilizer but there is no option of push button start while remote central locking is only on VXL as per initial reports.
Both VXL and VXR will have a manual heating , ventilation and air conditioning unit. There will be a standard single CD with radio stereo system identical to what is currently available in the Ciaz sedan. The stereo will also have a USB input on front face. While VXL will have 4 speakers mounted in each door, VXR will have only two speakers in front doors, one in each driver and passenger side.
On driver side right next to steering wheel in VXL, there will be a switch mounted for activating the fog lamps. There is a space for 5 switches in this area but VXL utilize one spot for fog lights switch while VXR use nothing here except plastic pieces. Internationally this area is utilized by Electronic stability control On/Off switch and headlight height adjustment switch. Interestingly the cigarette lighter switch which is must needed item for charging your cell phone by plugging a charger, is not available in VXR and its only part of VXL. VXR gets a plastic piece at this location. So if you need an outlet here, you might have to get it aftermarket or from Suzuki as an accessory. I cant confirm this item at this time but till filing of this article, the outlet feature is only available on VXL.
Intermittent wiper is standard across both variant. On convenience front, only VXL will be equipped with power windows, VXR will have manual window regulators. The side view mirrors on VXL are electrically power adjusted by means of joystick type switch while VXR will get a manual way of side view mirror adjustment.
Apart from above, VXL gets fabric trim piece in front drive and passenger doors while rear doors get plastic panels. In VXR both front and rear doors get plastic panels. Grab handles which are handles mounted on the roof inside are 3 in number in VXL [ one front, two rear on each side] while VXR gets only one handle and for the front passenger.
Now lets go to rear seats. VXL gets 60/40 split seats which can be folded full down to create extra space for cargo. VXR rear seats also fold down but there is no 60/40 split option. The entire seats folds down as a single piece. Additionally the VXL gets a parcel tray in the rear cargo area. This is cover over cargo area behind rear seats. VXR will not be equipped with it.
Safety :
This is the topic which is the most neglected one by local car companies. Customers have highly appreciated the launch of Ciaz sedan with two standard air bags. Previous generation of Cultus and other products from Pak Suzuki except the newly released Ciaz, was never equipped with a passive safety system in form of air bags. But now things will change. Pak Suzuki is not introducing one but two air bags. That is for front driver and passenger. Although this availability of air bags is exclusive to VXL variant only. Due to an air bag equipped in the steering wheel, the VXL steering wheels will look different from the VXR which is without an air bag. Additionally the VXL comes equipped with Anti-lock Braking Sytem “ABS”. VXR will lack this feature as well. As I mentioned earlier there will be prominent features on exterior which will help differentiate a VXL from VXR , a VXL will get a “ABS” sticker pasted on the rear screen below the stop lamp. You will also find an air bag warning sticker on passenger side sun visor in VXL.
Overall the chassis of Cultus is based on “Total Effective Control Technology (TECT)” . The design uses high strength steel at strategic location resulting in increased occupant safety as well as reducing the body weight for improved fuel economy. TECT also reduces the road noise, harshness and vibration and improves the driving stability and agility. Overall this is many steps ahead from its predecessor as far as safety.
On European, NCAP testing agency , Celerio [known as Cultus now in Pakistan] is rated at 3 star as far as the saefty rating. The European model also comes standard with Electronic Stability Control which is not an option on this new Cultus for Pakistani market.
Price :
Finally, we come to address the elephant in the room. Sadly, I don’t have any information about this heading but I can safely say that Pak Suzuki will slate Cultus between Wagon R and Swift although current swift looks less equipped comparing this upcoming Cultus. Pak-Suzuki might bring next generation of Swift in the future to introduce a much-needed revision in this car. Since Swift is always placed above Cultus, I don’t see Cultus price going over Swift. As far as the variants are concerned I have already mentioned that this car will be launched in form of VXL and VXR, and after analyzing the features and equipment, I expect a price difference of around PKR 140,000 to PKR 160,000 between both models of this car.
Overall, the new Cultus will be a nice addition in the under 1000cc segment, although it took Pak Suzuki a very long time to bring this car in Pakistan but due to stringent policies and lack of competition, the company had very less motivation to do so in the first place. The new car is definitely heads and shoulder above than its descendant and will provide an edge over the imported vehicles currently available in the market. Let’s not forget Pak-Suzuki’s sales and service network which spans all over Pakistan, this one fact alone will play a decisive role in this car’s success and will give the customers a much-needed relief and convenience. Cultus will soon be launched and you will be able to see one at showrooms within next few weeks.
Below you will find pictures of overseas Celerio which I have marked to pinpoint the features discussed in this article. Please keep in mind all features and equipment discussed here are unofficial details and must not be taken as an official release. Features listed below in form of a table are based on available information received from different sources and may or may not be in actual.
