India's biggest carmaker Maruti Udyog Ltd will launch a new Zen compact car on November 27.

Indicating that the brand new Zen would be priced at a premium, sources said the car, which has been designed and developed in-house, would be launched nation-wide in a phased manner.

After the debut on November 27, the car would be rolled out in 15 cities, they said, adding the new car would take on other cars in the segment like Hyundai's Santro and Tata Motors' Indica.

"The new Zen, based on European car design and styling, will showcase Maruti's design capabilities as the domestic car leader prepares to become Suzuki's R&D centre in Asia," a Maruti dealer said in New Delhi.

Asked about the price of the vehicle, MUL officials remained tightlipped about the vehicle itself, sources indicated that the new Zen would be priced higher than the existing level.

According to sources, the company had indicated to its dealers in Kuala Lumpur that it would introduce a brand new Zen which is a fruit of two years of research and development, sources said.