Hybrid cars are becoming a trend in India. Their sales are growing rapidly at the moment. Hybrid cars stand out for being more practical, eco-friendly and economical. Many manufacturers have announced their foray into the hybrid space. Maruti Suzuki recently revealed that they are betting big on hybrids.
Here are five new hybrid cars expected from Maruti Suzuki in the coming years
1- Grand Vitara
Maruti is currently selling the Grand Vitara in India. Developed in collaboration with Toyota, this SUV is quite popular. This SUV, which is set to be launched in 2022, is available with three powertrains- a 1.5-litre K15C petrol mild-hybrid, a strong hybrid 1.5L 3-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle and a CNG engine. Both manual and automatic gearboxes are available.
Maruti is reportedly working on a 7-seat version of the Grand Vitara, which will be launched in the first half of next year. This vehicle will have notable visual changes from the five-seater. The upcoming vehicle will also get new features. Like the current model, the seven-seater will likely have two hybrid powertrains- light and strong. The strong hybrid technology has been developed in collaboration with Toyota, and is quite efficient.
2- Fronx Series Hybrid
Maruti Suzuki is preparing to launch the Fronx facelift in the Indian market by 2025. Also, the automaker is developing its own hybrid engine, codenamed HEV. This engine will be offered in several Maruti cars including the Fronx facelift, next-gen Brezza, Swift Hybrid, and new-gen Baleno. This entry-level hybrid engine is believed to be cheaper for the brand compared to parallel-only and series-parallel hybrids. Apart from introducing hybrid technology, Maruti will also introduce an ADAS suite for the upcoming Fronx.
As reported earlier, the Fronx facelift will be the first model to feature Maruti’s new hybrid engine. This unit will consist of a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z12E engine, a small battery pack of around 1.5-2kWh and an electric motor. The Z12E engine will work as a generator to charge the battery pack. This is the same engine that powers the new Swift. After the front facelift, the upcoming Baleno will get this stronger hybrid engine.
3- Maruti Swift Hybrid
The new Maruti Suzuki Swift was showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show. It introduced a new engine in this new Swift. But at that time it did not reveal the specifications of this new Z12E engine. Now after a month of waiting, Suzuki has finally revealed the specifications of the new Swift. So, has Suzuki managed to maintain the ‘fun to drive’ nature of the Swift?
The new Swift comes with a 3-cylinder Z12E unit instead of the 4-cylinder K12 engine. In terms of numbers, the new engine is capable of producing 80 bhp and 108Nm of torque. This new engine is 8bhp less powerful and 5Nm less torque. It remains to be seen how it will perform in real life. However, Suzuki claims that this new engine will have a big improvement in terms of efficiency and torque
4- Baleno Hybrid
The next-generation Maruti Suzuki Baleno will use an in-house developed range-extending hybrid system that will deliver mileage of over 35 kmpl. Maruti Suzuki is set to introduce the next-generation Baleno in 2026 and it will be one of the five hybrid models coming.
Customers have well received the premium hatchback since its launch in late 2015 and was extensively updated a few years ago. The Baleno is currently sold with 1.2L K Series petrol and 1.0L Turbo Boosterjet petrol engine options.
5- Dzire Hybrid
The Swift, which is known for its agility and style on Indian roads, is all set for a new generation. While its exact design is yet to be revealed, it is expected to feature significant updates in both its exterior and interior. The upcoming hatchback is expected to feature a modern and streamlined exterior with curved edges, staying faithful to its original design concept. On the interior of the car, an upgraded cabin is on the horizon, which will offer better comfort and convenience for passengers.
Reportedly, the most notable enhancement is in the engine compartment. The upcoming Swift will feature an incredibly fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. As per reports, it will feature a 1.2-litre strong-hybrid engine, which is capable of achieving over 35 kmpl. Additionally, the current 1.2L mild-hybrid engine is also likely to be retained.
