Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will have its own strong hybrid powertrain in its future models, specifically its low and mid level models. The brand will continue using Toyota's hybrid tech on the higher end models like the Grand Vitara and the Invicto.
An all-new three row SUV based on the Grand Vitara will also get the Toyota supplied strong hybrid setup.
As reported by Autocar India earlier, Maruti will introduce its own hybrid powertrain in the near future. This development was confirmed by the senior management recently. “As for HEVs, we have already been supplied with THS models from Toyota, but we will use our own strong HEVs or mild HEVs while balancing appropriate models.”
Maruti’s hybrid for the masses will not be similar to Toyota’s series parallel hybrid setup, but will come with a significantly cheaper series-parallel hybrid setup. In this system, the petrol powerplant in a series hybrid setup works only as a generator or range extender. This means that instead of directly moving the vehicle, the system produces electricity to power an electric motor that, in turn, drives the wheels.
This system is also called range extender because the internal combustion engine works as a generator to keep recharging the EV’s battery pack. Nissan has been using this technology on some of its models. The Nissan Note hatchback gets this tech and was extensively tested in India as well.
Maruti will introduce the new series hybrid (HEV) powertrain on the new Swift’s Z12E three cylinder petrol engine. First model to receive this new powertrain will most likely be the facelifted Fronx. Future models like the next gen Baleno and others will also benefit from this strong hybrid setup.
Once introduced, Maruti will have pure petrol, petrol mild hybrid, petrol strong hybrid (series), petrol strong hybrid (Toyota supplied) petrol- CNG and pure EV powertrain options across its line-up of cars, SUVs and MPVs.