Maruti Suzuki India today introduced the diesel-engined model of its popular Celerio hatchback. The car, which first introduced automated manual transmission (AMT) in the Indian market, now becomes the first car to offer a compact diesel engine (DDiS 125). 

The car, badged DDiS 125, has been priced at Rs 4.65 lakh for the entry level variant while the top-end ZDi (OPT) costs Rs 5.71 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

This launch of the Celerio Diesel also marks the global launch of the DDiS 125, the first diesel engine designed and developed by Suzuki. It is a defining moment for Suzuki as this motor is the first-ever in-house diesel in its 106-year history.

The lightweight and compact 2-cylinder 0.8-litre E08A diesel engine for compact cars is a milestone for Suzuki. The Japanese carmaker has been installing diesel engines mainly onto overseas models varying from 1.3 litres to 2.0 litres, which were supplied from or produced under the license of other manufacturers. To meet the need for diesel engine variants in the Indian market, Suzuki has developed this in-house, 2-cylinder 0.8-litre E08A diesel engine.

Also read: Interview with C V Raman, Engineering head of Maruti Suzuki India

The E08A diesel engine has realised weight-saving by adopting aluminium for the material for the cylinder block and installing a compact fuel distributor system and turbocharger suited for a 2-cylinder engine. By decreasing the compression ratio and installing a large intercooler, it has combined high torque in the low rpm range and fuel efficiency. Also, by optimising the flywheel, the low frequency vibration specific to 2-cylinder diesel engine has been mitigated.

The all-aluminium DDiS 125, which develops 47bhp@3500rpm and torque of 12.74kgm at 2000rpm. 

Upon installing the engine into the Celerio, low frequency vibration and combustion noise from the engine have been mitigated by optimising the engine mount and vehicle body rigidity, as well as adding noise absorption materials to raise comfort levels. 

The Celerio Diesel becomes the first car to use this engine. Until now the carmaker relied on Fiat-sourced engines to power its vehicles. Importantly, in a brave move, Maruti is going ahead with its diesel engine programme despite the narrowing gap between petrol and diesel fuel prices in India. 

The all-aluminium 793cc engine has a high level of localisation (97%) and Suzuki and its suppliers have invested over Rs 900 crore towards its development. The Suzuki two-cylinder diesel motor is a twin cam with four valves per cylinder unit.

Despite having a smaller engine than its rivals — the Grand i10 and the Chevrolet Beat — the Celerio diesel has higher fuel efficiency as it is the lightest of the lot at just 880-900kg. The car has received an ARAI rating of 27.62kpl, which places it ahead of Maruti’s own Ciaz diesel, which until now held the title of most efficient car in India.  

The Celerio Diesel, with its high fuel efficiency, can be expected to further power the hatchback’s sales in the Indian market. Launched in February 2014, the petrol model has sold over 95,000 units with nearly a third of them comprising AMT variants.

Celerio Diesel Pricing 
LDi - Rs 4.65 lakh
VDi - Rs 4.95 lakh
ZDi - Rs 5.25 lakh
ZDi (OPT) - Rs 5.71 lakh

Photographs: Mohammed Shafiq