New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS): Passenger vehicle manufacturer Maruti Suzuki Wednesday introduced its new luxury hatchback 'Stingray’, priced between Rs.4.09 lakh and Rs.4.66 lakh (ex-Showroom New Delhi).

"With Stingray, we carry forward our focus to make our best sellers even more attractive," said Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and chief executive, Maruti Suzuki India.

"The aggressively designed Stingray reinforces the fact that compact cars that are high on utility and reliability can also be premium and stylish," Ayukawa added.

The premium hatchback is based on the existing WagonR platform and comes with 998 cc three-cylinder petrol engine.

The 1.0 litre K-series engine has a fuel efficiency of 20.51 km per litre and is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The company hopes to introduce the factory-fitted CNG (compressed natural gas) powered version soon.

The new hatchback sports high-end-features like expressive projector headlamps, reflector grille and chrome plated tail lamps.

The company hopes to replicate the success it has gained with the WagonR brand. The brand has cumulatively sold 1.3 million units in India since its launch in December, 1999.

The WagonR brand is also the second highest sold car in India after Maruti Suzuki's Alto.

However, the company will not sell the new variant as WagonR Stingray, but instead go with standalone Stingray lable.