Auto Expo 2020: Maruti Suzuki Swift Hybrid previewed

MANILA: With more and more global automakers shifting towards hybrid, pure EV, and fuel cell tech, auto giants in India have also started entering the transition phase. With that said, Maruti Suzuki, the Indian arm of Suzuki has unveiled the hybrid variant of its ever so popular hatchback in the country, the Swift.

 

The Swift Hybrid showcased at the mega event is the same environment-friendly hatch that we witnessed for the first time at the 2018 Indonesia Motor Show. Moreover, unlike other Maruti Suzuki models such as the Baleno, Ertiga, and the Ciaz which feature a 12V start/stop system, the Swift Hybrid flaunts a much more capable 48V mild-hybrid system.

The hybrid system on the hatchback works in conjunction with a 1.2-litre K12C petrol-fed engine. On its own, the 1.2-litre motor generates 91 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 118 Nm. And, when paired with the 48V electric motor, the power figures go up to 105 PS of maximum power and 148 Nm of peak torque.

As for the transmission options, the hatch can be had with either a five-speed manual or an AMT. On a side note, the global avatar of the same hatch with the 48V hybrid setup packs in a bigger 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine. The electric setup comprises of an integrated starter generator, 48V lithium-ion battery, and a 48V-12V converter. As per the Japanese driving cycle, the Maruti Suzuki Swift Hybrid can go as far as 32 kilometres on one litre of petrol.

Since Maruti Suzuki won't be offering diesel engines in the BS-VI era in India, vehicles like the Swift Hybrid are going to be a blessing for the masses as they will not only offer enhanced fuel-economy but also do less harm to the environment. For now, Maruti Suzuki has only previewed the Swift Hybrid, and the official launch of the hatch remains a question unanswered.

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