Thanks to the facelift from the Zip-drive model, Xing looks little better and mature. Though it’s still sticking to its auto-rickshaw appearance, it’s far more appealing and acceptable now.
The Styling is contemporary with new single line chrome grill (in the latest version), clear glass headlamps, high and bright tail lamps added with sporty tall spoiler and imposed fog lamps in higher variants. The length of the car has been slightly increased compared to its older sister, giving it better leg room and boot. The interiors are simple and easy to use. The two-tone dash-board though has a theme lacks character and looks plasticy. The standard upholstery too is not worth a special mention. The leg and the head have enough room and will let you get in and out at ease. This happy go car fits four well while five becomes a bit cumbersome.
As a safety feature crumble zones have been introduced, its basically making the front part to crumble in effect of a collision, reducing the impact on the passengers, though this saves lives, the obvious problem is that the body is too malleable and vulnerable to dents.
Moving to performance the 12V SOHC, 4 cylinder, 1086cc Epsilon engine delivers a decent 63ps at 5500 rpm. Santro is definitely not a speed demon, it moves from 0 to 100 in over 15 seconds and delivers a top speed of around 140 KMPH on road; of course it starts to rattle as you cross the 120 mark. The lack of great power makes highway drive a little lull, but its turning radius and high seating provides a good zippy drive in the city. Being a tall boy it has lesser center of gravity and must be handled safely. Luckily the inclusion of ABS as an option reduces risk. The Automatic version too gives a great driving feel in the city but hampers performance in the highways.
Much like many Korean cast iron engines, Santro too is not a mileage master, and it delivers an average of 10 KMPL in city and 16 KMPL in the highways. But the latest eRLX promises more mileage and power through its 'Active Intelligence' technology. Technologies like ones below sound jazzy,
Rotary Head Intelligent Valve Actuator (RHiA)
Differentially Programmed Intelligent Injection (DPiI)
Real time Intelligent Ignition (RTiI)
Fuel Quality Immunizer
Optima Design Combustion Chamber
Ultra Low Friction Piston rings
And promise Refined Power Output, Best in class Torque, Improved Fuel Mileage, Reduced Emissions, Less Wear & Tear and Enhanced Engine Life. But it’s still too early to see how effective and efficient they really are.
Over all, Santro is doing all it can do to stick to the market and has been by and large successful. Its decent ride quality, and decent mileage, though nothing to flaunt with, gives no reason to shun it either. Still with a price not too far from the Suzuki Swift or its own sister the GETZ, some one needs to have special reasons to go for it. This is a Sun-Shine car, but the sky is cloudy.
3 comments:
Dont talk shit Karthik. I have a 2002 Model Santro which has done 82000 kms now, its still giving me 15.5 kms per litre in city with AC and 17.5 kms per litre in city without AC.
I agree with Ajay .It is not so bad as described by Karthik.
It is worth for money and in such price if you are expecting Mercs then dude you are wrong
this is not true that santro's top speed is 140 kmph......because i tested it to 170 kmph
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