This Modified Maruti Esteem Has More Power Than Hyundai Creta Turbo Petrol Model

Maruti Esteem was in production for more than a decade, 14 years to be exact. It was introduced in the Indian market as a low-cost sedan in the year 1994 and was on sale till 2008. With conventional 3-box silhouette and an 85 PS engine, the Esteem was quite famous around the enthusiasts. However, a lot of them can now be seen prepped up to put some of the newer cars to shame. We also came across one such model, and it produces more than 150 PS, which makes it even more powerful than the most potent variant of the Hyundai Creta.

Maruti Suzuki Esteem is highly loved by enthusiasts and tourist cars category racers.

The high power output of this modified Maruti Esteem is courtesy numerous modification jobs performed under its hood. Its stock 1.3L unit has replaced with a bigger 1.6L unit from the old Baleno, which produced 94 PS in its stock form. The customizer has even plonked in a Suzuki Racing intake manifold to supply colder air to the engine. The stock ECU has been replaced with a Race Dynamics ECU to help the car use the maximum potential of the precious air-fuel mixture. To help it breathe easier, it also gets a custom Thrust exhaust system. For reference, the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol variant of the new Hyundai Creta offers 140 PS, which means this modified Esteem can actually put some modern cars to shame in the power stakes. 

The list does not stop here. To stop the wastage of energy, it uses a lighter aluminium flywheel. Other modifications on this Esteem include a close-ratio gearbox, RDP racing clutch, Walbro Racing fuel pump, and MSG ignition coil. To improve the overall handling of the car it has also been fitted with Ohlin Street Comfort dampers and Cobra lowering springs. However, to shed the speed as fast as it attains, it uses bigger brake rotors and brake pads, which come from Brembo.

This modified Maruti Esteem also sets a set of bucket seats.

If we had to talk of sleeper cars, this modified Maruti Esteem would surely join our list of favourites. With so much stuff under its hood to whip out more than 150 PS of peak power, it hardly gets any cosmetic add-on. The only change on the outside is the addition of 15-inch BBS alloy wheels shod with stickier rubber. Therefore, if you come across it on a red light, making out if it’s a hooligan or not would be tough until the lights turn green.