Since its beginning Mehran has been available with optional Air Condition, that’s it; no more fancy stuff, this is plain and simple car to serve the purpose for most of Pakistanis to go from point A to point B. For over a decade Mehran was offered with the option of factory fitted Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in both standard and air conditioned version but when in 2012 Government banned factory fitted CNG due shortage of CNG, A lot of cars including Mehran were discontinued with the option of Factory Fitted CNG.
Pak Suzuki did try to glamorized Mehran every few years by doing some cosmetic changes to the car and making it look like a new model; details of those is as follows:
1989 – 1991 – It was the time when this car was available with the name of Suzuki Alto; it was simple car available in choice of five colors to choose from which were White, Red, Beige, Light Green and Grey, a straight two spoke steering which was taken from first generation of Alto (also known as FX in some parts of world). Optional Air Condition was available since day one. Standard had no emblem however the one with factory air condition used to be called GA (Stands for Genuine Air Condition).
1991 – 1994 – In 1991 Suzuki Alto became Suzuki Mehran; the only change that was done at that time was the front number plate was shifted from center of bumper to a little right side towards the indicator light. Colors available were White, Red & Grey only. Mehran was also offered in Yellow color during 1992 – 1994 under the Prime Minister Taxi scheme.
1994 – 1999 – In 1994 Mehran received its first major facelift; the seats were changed into a 1 piece full seat without head rest; front radiator grill was painted to match the body color of car, steering wheel was changed to another two spoke steering which was taken from Suzuki Khyber. Between this times Mehran was offered in various colors in different times namely Pakistan Green, Baby Blue & Royal Blue were offered in Mehran at different times apart from the three colors previously available.
1999 – 2002 – In 1999 Mehran was renamed as Mehran Plus; this time the front radiator grill was re-designed and the old seats with a little modification came back with separate head rest; also for the first time fabric was used along with artificial leather in the seats and door panels. It is also the time when Mehran was introduced in metallic colors; colors available in Mehran Plus were White, Red, Metallic Grey and Metallic Green.
2002 – 2004 – In 2002 Mehran was given another make over where the indicator lights were shifted next to headlights and parking light was moved down in the bumpers, Suzuki trademark of bonnet opener on the hood (FX, Mehran & Khyber) was changed by conventional under the hood latch, Small molding and wheel covers (full tyre) were also added in this make over. Availability of Silver Metallic, Sky Blue Metallic, Maroon Metallic and Purple was also made available. The versions were renamed to match rest of Suzuki lineup with VX being standard version and VXR being Air Conditioned car. Factory fitted CNG was also offered for the first time in this setup.
2004 – 2012 – This was second major makeover for Mehran; headlights were replaced with clear lens crystal lights, bumpers were redesigned, indicator light was shifted back in the front bumper, radiator grill was redesigned, tail lights were replaced with clear lens indicator lights, dashboard was reduced from four ac vents to two ac vents in the center and the steering wheel was replaced by a two spoke steering wheel which was previously offered in Margalla and Cultus. In this time colors offered were; White, Silver (metallic), Maroon (metallic), Grey (metallic), Eminent Blue (metallic).
2012 – Present – In 2012 Mehran became EFi which was by adding a EFi kit on the existing engine; radiator grill was redesigned again and factory fitted CNG was discontinued. Mehran is available at the moment in White, Maroon Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Grey Metallic, Teal Metallic and Champagne Metallic.
If I say that Suzuki Mehran is the national car of Pakistan then it will not be a wrong statement. I’m sure Mehran is the car which has served most of Pakistanis; there’s no other car which has been owned, driven or even used as passenger by Pakistanis more than Suzuki Mehran. We may call this car names; piece of junk, tin dabba and you may think this car is out dated but the truth is that Suzuki Mehran has been a part of our lives and we all have had memories associated with Mehran.
Happy Mehraning
OA
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