Maruti Grand Vitara CNG India Launch Likely Next Month

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Maruti Grand Vitara CNG is expected to be launched sometime next month in India; could have a fuel economy of 26.10 km/kg

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has been on a roll this calendar year with new launches in quick succession. The heavily updated version of the Baleno was followed by the mildly updated Ertiga and XL6 MPVs, the new generation Brezza compact SUV, the all-new Alto K10, and the Grand Vitara midsize SUV amongst others.

Besides refreshing its existing models and stepping into new segments, the largest car manufacturer in the country has expanded its S-CNG portfolio rapidly. Following the launch of the Glanza CNG, Toyota has commenced reservations for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder CNG. It is expected to launch sometime next month in the domestic market.

Around the same timeframe, Maruti Suzuki will more likely bring in the Grand Vitara CNG and some of its details have been leaked online. The five-seater competes against Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, MG Hector, Nissan Kicks, MG Astor and the likes in the highly competitive midsize segment but none of them offers a CNG powertrain.

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The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder are the only SUVs in the segment to feature a strong hybrid 1.5-litre three-cylinder Atkinson Cycle TNGA engine with an impressive claimed fuel efficiency of close to 28 kmpl and a dedicated EV mode. They will also become the first SUVs in the segment to gain a CNG powertrain.

Upon arrival, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara CNG will become the first Maruti vehicle to use a mild-hybrid, a strong hybrid and a CNG option. It makes sense to bring in a CNG variant as it will appeal to customers wanting to own a fuel economical midsize SUV but finding the strong hybrid iteration to be expensive.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder K15C mild-hybrid petrol engine will likely produce around 88 bhp and 98.5 Nm in the CNG mode as in the Ertiga and XL6 CNGs. Expect the prices to be around Rs. 70,000 more than the respective mild-hybrid version. It could be coupled with only a five-speed MT with a claimed fuel efficiency of 26.10 km/kg.