The in-house developed strong hybrid version of the Maruti Suzuki XL6 with a claimed mileage of over 30 kmpl is expected to launch within the next two years
Maruti Suzuki is planning to introduce the new generation Swift in the coming months and it will be followed by its sibling, the new Dzire. The largest car producer in the country has the widest CNG portfolio in the domestic market and it also offers two strong hybrid models. Later this year or in early 2025, the brand’s first electric SUV, the eVX, will debut.
The upcoming Swift and Dzire are expected to feature a new 1.2L Z series three-cylinder petrol engine. The same powertrain will reportedly be used in the future hybrid models as the brand is said to be developing an in-house HEV system to curb down the costs. Thus, the seven-seater Grand Vitara, bound for 2025, will likely be the last model to feature Toyota’s hybrid system.
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx could get a facelift some time next year and it could kick start a new range of hybrid cars. The Indo-Japanese manufacturer is also developing a compact MPV to rival Renault Kiger, a micro SUV to rival Tata Punch and a budget-friendly electric hatchback, based on the eWX concept, unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show late last year.
We do expect the Maruti Suzuki XL6, which is the six-seater version of the Ertiga with a middle row captain seating arrangement, to get a similar hybrid setup that will likely debut in the Fronx facelift. The hybrid system will feature a petrol engine serving as a range extender, designed to extend the vehicle’s range without directly propelling it.
Instead, the petrol mill will generate electricity to power the electric motor, which in turn drives the wheels. The electric motor can draw power from either a battery pack or the generator, which in this case is the petrol engine. This system shares similarities with the e-Power technology pioneered by Nissan.
The hybridised XL6 could be launched within the next two years in India. The forthcoming Maruti Suzuki compact MPV is also expected to feature this hybrid setup, which will likely enable a claimed fuel efficiency of more than 30 kmpl.