Unprecedented! Maruti’s Ciaz Hybdrid would offer a mileage of 28km/l

Maruti Suzuki is doing wonders these days. Known for having manufactured the most economical cars, India’s largest car maker is extending its focus on the premium range of cars as well. So to give sedans including Honda City a tough fight, Maruti Suzuki will be launching the Ciaz Hybrid. The modified Ciaz retains the signature of Maruti, which is its fuel efficiency. Promising a mileage of 28km/litre, this game changing car in the segment will be the sedan with the best mileage in the class.

"The mild-hybrid, just like AMT, is an ideal solution for India. It has the potential to be a game changer. Benefits are plenty, fuel efficiency is better, environment is getting better, emission is taken care of - you are able to give a differentiated product to challenge competition," said a source.

Improving fuel efficiency has always been the motto at Maruti. Having adopted a new technology Maruti ensured even its premium range cars get the maximum benefit. The new Ciaz Hybrid comes with a Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System (SHVS), a mild hybrid system with a 1.3 litre diesel engine. This is likely to be priced aggressively, which may be at a marginal premium, or Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 costlier.

The technology will be imported. The high import cost will be offset by the incentives given by the government through lower excise duty of 12.5 % and subsidy extension of Rs 12,000- Rs 13,000 under electric and hybrid vehicle policy of FAME, which will help the company save over Rs 1 lakh on the ticket price, confirms the news report.

Not only Ciaz, Maruti’s popular cars Swift and Dzire are expected to have an improved mileage of 30km/l. The same technology will be improvised to make Ertiga hybrid in October. The automaker is working on a 1.2 litre petrol hybrid engine, which will be fitted in Suzuki Baleno in the overseas market.

Maruti has earned trustworthiness over the years in the middle class segment in India. However, in the premium segment, car buyers have been opting for other brands. With its new oeuvre of premium cars like Ciaz, S-cross, Maruti is now seeing future in the niche segment as well.