Maruti Suzuki rolls out its first Smart Hybrid car with Lithium-ion battery
Maruti Suzuki India Limited today launched its premium sedan Ciaz,with the new 1.5 litre K15 petrol engine. The company’s next generation smart hybrid with Lithium-ion battery makes its maiden appearance in the New Ciaz.
In due course, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries will replace the traditional lead-based ones in cars sold by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Suzuki, in a joint venture with Toshiba Corp. and Denso Corp., is in the process of setting up the battery manufacturing plant in Gujarat at an estimated investment of Rs 1,152 crore (Rs 11.52 billion). The company plans to launch an electric vehicle in India by 2020.
“Ciaz is the first car in India to be powered by next generation Smart Hybrid technology with Lithium-ion battery,” said Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki.
“The new Ciaz cost us Rs 160 Crores (Rs 1.6 billion) for new tools and dies. It is currently being manufactured at Manesar with components sourced from the same set of suppliers and on the equipment,” said CV Raman, Senior Executive Director (Engineering), Maruti Suzuki.
Maruti Suzuki currently has a combined capacity of 1.55 million cars at its Gurugram and Manesar plants. Its capacity in Gujarat is in the process of being ramped up from 250 thousand cars to 500 thousand cars.
With Toyota being involved with Suzuki at a global level, Toyota’s plant in Bidadi (running at 30 percent capacity of 300 thousand cars annually) is expected to be used by Maruti Suzuki to augment its production capacity in the country. According to a report by NV Vijayakumar, officials from Suzuki and Toyota were at the Bidadi plant two weeks back, to assess its existing capability and plan further investments of over $1 billion.
The new K15 petrol engine comes with higher torque and power output
- Power: 77kW@6000 rpm (up by 13%)
- Torque: 138Nm@4400 rpm (up by 6%)
The Smart Hybrid Dual battery system facilitates Idle Start Stop, Torque Assist Function and Brake Energy Regeneration.
“At Maruti Suzuki, we always strive to bring newer, advanced and greener technologies in India. The New Ciaz, powered by K15 Smart Hybrid gasoline engine, is testament of the same. Over the past four years, Ciaz has redefined the sedan segment with its class leading space, design and sophistication. With fresh changes, we are confident that the New Ciaz will present a complete package in line with aspirations of evolving customers,” said Kenichi Ayukawa.
According to Maruti Suzuki, the new Ciaz delivers fuel efficiency of 21.56 Km/l in manual petrol variants and 28.09Km/l in diesel.
Launched in 2014, Ciaz became the most popular mid-size premium sedan under A3 segment, having sold over 2,20,000 units since launch.
“The Ciaz commands a market share of 34 percent in the A3+ segment. With over a third of the market share, the Ciaz has been a leader in the A3+ segment for the past two years. It disrupted the entire segment,” said R.S Kalsi, Senior Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki.
The Ciaz is retailed through the NEXA network since April 1, 2017. The top end (Alpha) variant of Ciaz contributes 41% of its total sales.
