The 1.5 L smart hybrid engine is currently developed by Suzuki in Japan and it will be manufactured in India. This engine will debut with Ciaz in August
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is facing intense competition from Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Toyota Yaris. All the competitors of Ciaz comes with either 1.5 L or 1.6 L engines which gives more performance to these models and Ciaz is lagging behind them. Now the company is developing an all new petrol engine for Ciaz and other models.
The new petrol engine is a 1.5 L hybrid unit as the current engine used in Ciaz is 1.4 L and mild-hybrid system was available only with diesel engine. The 1.5 L smart hybrid engine is currently developed by Suzuki in Japan and it will be manufactured in India. This engine was expected to make its India entry next year but Maruti advanced the launch to this year.
Also Read : New-Gen Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Facelift To Launch In August
The new 1.5 L smart hybrid engine will make its debut in Ciaz and then the company will introduce it in Baleno and Vitara Brezza. The new generation Ertiga will also get this engine but at a later stage only. One of the reasons for advancing the project is that the company want to achieve its target of two million units annually by 2020.
Till now, Maruti was sourcing diesel engines from Fiat and they have to pay loyalty money to them for using it. But the company is developing a new 1.5 L diesel engine which will make its debut next year in Ciaz. This engine will also come with mild hybrid system which is available on current generation Ciaz. Along with the new engine, Maruti will introduce some minor cosmetic change on Ciaz.
Also Read : Maruti Suzuki WagonR EV Launching In 2020 In India
The newly developed 1.5 L hybrid engine will be used in Maruti’s version of Toyota Corolla Altis sedan which is expected to make its debut in 2020. The company is also looking at alternative fuel options like hybrid, CNG, Ethanol and Methanol. Maruti Suzuki is planning to enter EV segment in India by 2020 with new Wagon R EV.