When it comes to buying vehicle that can be used for commercial as well as personal use, Maruti Suzuki Omni is the first name that comes to mind. This MUV was launched in 1985. But even today, Maruti manages to sell around seven thousand units every year. Let’s take a look at what the latest version of this MUV offers to its users.
Exterior and Interior
Every Indian is familiar with this MUV’s design that is almost the same since its first version. Its box shaped body with two sliding doors, basic looking headlamps surrounded by black box, and large rear windscreen might appear very simple in-front of MUVs like Tata Venture, Mahindra Maxximo, or Maruti’s own Eeco. But no one can deny that Omni’s design is tested and trusted since 1985.
Car’s body graphics, thermoplastic bumpers, mud flaps, and outside rear view mirror might remind you about the great 90s. Life was much simpler, and even owning basic car was considered as an achievement.
Just walk for sometime on any Indian road, and you would definitely find at-least one Maruti Omni. Thanks to its sliding doors, high roof, and other features, people use it as ambulance, school van, and family car.
Dual tone interior and seats are simple, but definitely better than those seats in public transport buses or trains in India. Bottle holder, cup holder, rear and front assist grips, glove compartment, adjustable front seats and cabin lights are similar to those offered by Maruti during 90s.
The car is available in four variants, cargo variant, ambulance variant, 5-seater variant, and 8-seater variant. Out of these, 5-seater variant can be used as family car as well as well as for transporting small loads for business needs. The 8-seater variant is used as family car, or as a school van.
Engine
Omni is powered by 796cc four-stroke, petrol engine. This motor’s power might not impress everyone. But it offers the best mileage, just like most of the Maruti Suzuki’s cars. All the variants offer mileage of around 10 KMPL while driving in city limits, and around 14 KMPL on highways. But most of the users do not prefer to drive this vehicle on highways due to absence of necessary safety features.
If you opt for LPG version, you can expect around 11 KMPL. The engine is attached to four-speed gearbox, and can reach top speed of 120 KMPH. Car’s fuel tank capacity is 35 liters.
Braking and Suspension System
Booster assisted disc brake in the front and drum brake in the rear seem good enough to control this box type car. Shock-absorbers with leaf spring manage the rear suspension, while McPherson strut system manages the front suspension. The car lacks in safety features. This MUV just offers seat belts, anti-theft system, and collapsible column for steering as safety features. Rise in demand forced Maruti to continue Omni’s production
In April 2009 Maruti Suzuki India shocked everyone by declaring its plan to stop producing MUV Omni and Maruti 800. Fortunately, rise in MUV’s demand forced the car maker to cancel its decision. Omni’s engine was adjusted to match BS-4 specifications. Easy availability of spare parts, great after sales service network and low price help in keeping the ownership cost low for Omni.
Modified School Vans
Later, in November 2011, the car maker launched Omni’s modified school vans in certain cities from Maharashtra state. Vans were launched in joint-venture with Pune based dealer – Mahalaxmi Auto. These dedicated yellow colored school vans offer safety features like speed governor, safety grills, hangers for kids to hold on, seat belts, fire extinguisher and first aid box. Along with LPG, the car’s CNG option is also available in certain cities. The special edition school van comes with price tag of around Rs 3.25 lakh plus taxes. Omni’s other variants are priced between Rs 2.5 lakh and 3.5 lakh, plus applicable taxes.
2015 Maruti Omni Specifications and Features
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[tab title=”Prices”]
| Variant | Ex-Mumbai | Ex-Delhi |
| Omni MPI STD | 2,72,470 | 2,49,824 |
| Omni E MPI STD | 2,74,242 | 2,54,975 |
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[tab title=”Technical Specifications”]
Engine
Type: 4 stroke cycle, water cooled
Engine Capacity: 796cc
Number of Cylinders: 3
No. of valves: 6
Max. Power: 34.7PS @ 5000 rpm
Max. Torque: 59Nm @ 2500 rpm
Dimentions
Length x Weight x Height (mm): 3370 x 1410 x 1640
Wheelbase (mm): 1840
Min. Turning Radius (m): 4.1
Ground Clearance (mm): 165
Others
Kerb Weight (Kg): 785
Suspension (Front): McPherson struts
Suspension (Rear): Leaf spring with shock absorbers
Brakes (Front): Disc (Booster Assisted)
Brakes (Rear): Drum
Tyre Size: 145R 12 LTR 8PR (Radial)
[/tab]
[tab title=”Features”]
Safety
Multi-function levers: Yes
Child Lock: Yes
High mounted rear stop lamp: Yes
Headlamp levelling device: yes
Sitting
Reclining (Front Seats): Yes
Front seat belts: Yes
Sliding Driver Seats: Yes
Adjustable front seat head restraints: Yes
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[tab title=”Mileage”]
Omni MPI STD: 16.8kmpl
Omni E MPI STD: 16.9kmpl
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