[t_chat]

Originally Posted by Gamemaztr

The Smart Hybrid System in newer MS Cars used two car batteries. One regular lead acid battery and the other Lithium Ion battery under the passenger seat. It seems that the Lithium Ion battery would only work during the torque assist while the Lead Acid battery would be used in remaining functions including Auto Start Stop. For reference, many cars with single battery set-up support Auto Start/Stop.

This deletion of Smart Hybrid system seems just to have removed the Lithium Ion battery. The ISG will stay and so will the Auto Start/Stop.

Just to note, I have been told that the ISG has replaced the alternators in our vehicles as alternators were highly unreliable and now almost all cars are equipped with an ISG. So, it is highly unlikely that ISG is removed.

MS will definitely save around 5-8% of the Vehicle cost by deleting the Lithium ion battery and all its supporting hardware, which they will happily pocket.

Thanks a lot for explaining in detail! The new brochure shows that the Auto Start/Stop is now available only with the AT variants. So I'm guessing that feature was also using the Li battery!

[UD17]

Originally Posted by Gamemaztr

Just to note, I have been told that the ISG has replaced the alternators in our vehicles as alternators were highly unreliable and now almost all cars are equipped with an ISG. So, it is highly unlikely that ISG is removed.

The new version are non ISG. The step is due to chip unavailability and would continue for minimum 6 month, after that it all depends on chip availability.

ISG is a sort of alternator only with additional functionality. The application of ISG motor has nothing to do with the reliability, and yes alternators are quite reliable, there are millions of car running on the field with regular alternators.

As mentioned by many members, this SHVS is just a 12V system (IIRC) and certainly can not provide the 2.5KMPL mileage difference wrt the non ISG version. The fuel efficiency figures are tested figures from a controlled running (Ideal conditions). In real world its difficult to predict the difference.

[t_chat]

Originally Posted by UD17

The new version are non ISG.

The version names contain the word ISG though.

NEW BREZZA K15C ISG 5MT

[Gamemaztr]

But in any ways, the Smart Hybrid System along with Idle Stop/Start does reduce air pollution considerably.

In Mumbai, where I drive my Brezza MT, SHVS, with AC at 24/24.5, the engine can sometimes remain off for around 3-4 minutes, provided the battery is charged. If not fuel efficiency, it does aid in reducing the air pollution - the main aim of EVs and hybrids.

For good fuel efficiency with power, go for a diesel car. No petrol car on the planet can be efficient and frugal petrol and at the same time have amazing power.

[blueather]

Not only this, they have also removed ESP and hill hold assist from CNG variants but instead have added that annoying seat belt alarm even when there are no passengers sitting.

[Inferno610]

There goes my finalized option of zxi+ MT down the drain. Either the zxi+ AT (17+ onr BLR) or the nexon Facelift MT makes sense now. Brezza is not a value proposition anymore and no price reduction despite a major downgrade is a shot in the foot( July/ August sales needs some looking into).

[Shawn]

Maruti Suzuki is very well trained on doing cost cutting wherever possible.Their metal sheet quality is worst,the quality of plastic they use in interiors is worst.Their engines produce the least power compared to all its rivals.Now they have removed the smart hybrid technology from Brezza manual models which will directly impact in reducing the mileage of the car.People are cancelling their Brezza bookings now and shifting to Nexon and Sonet.

[RGCST]

I agree. I spent some time in the new Brezza and frankly I don't find much improvement in plastic quality over a Santro which costs about 1/2 the price of a Brezza . I wonder if the low end drivability of the car will be affected with the SHVS gone.

[t_chat]

Originally Posted by RGCST

I wonder if the low end drivability of the car will be affected with the SHVS gone.

The earlier Vitara Brezza didn't have the SHVS system, but I don't believe it had any issues either with low-end torque generation or churning out impressive mileage figures (which mostly depend on driving style). While I agree that the prices do not justify anymore, I should also say that Suzuki's engine is still one of the most reliable in the segment. The vehicle maintenance cost is on the lower side and combined with Maruti's excellent service network and a respectable 4-star rating in the erstwhile method used by the Global NCap, the Brezza still remains a strong contender in the segment. The interior quality is also acceptable to me when I also consider the ground clearance, commanding SUV like driving stance, ride quality and well tuned suspension. Above all, although this is a subjective matter, I believe the Brezza looks really cool. The Nexon, though attractive, cannot help but look like a beefed up hatchback, which kinda takes away the SUV feel! As for Kia vehicles, the plethora of features and bold looks cannot obscure the fact that the build quality is worrisome.

[Getsetgo123]

Originally Posted by t_chat

Dear BHP-ians, I am starting this new thread to discuss and gain more knowledge on the latest updates done by Maruti Suzuki for the New Brezza. The major update is that Maruti has removed the Smart Hybrid technology from all the Manual Transmission variants and kept it only for the Automatic ones.

I Hope it is there strategy to compensate additional cost for 6 Airbags . Remove SHVS and give 6 Airbags with with no change in cost

Mod Note: Please quote ONLY the relevant bits of a post. Quoting a full, long post inconveniences our mobile readers.

[Shawn]

It could also be a plan of Maruti Suzuki to increase the sales of the automatic variants of Brezza and Fronx.
Most of the sales of Brezza were of the manual version.And the buyers who were visiting the showroom to have a look at Fronx were shifting to Brezza LXI as Fronx is just a Baleno with a new grill.

Now people will either buy an automatic Brezza or Fronx if they need mild hybrid in that price range or they would have no other option other than spending more and shifting to Grand Vitara.

[TheWheelDeal]

We had booked a manual Brezza ZXI and were just a week or two away from delivery when I first saw this news on Autocar's website.. I contacted our RM the next day, and he wasn't clear on what exactly was happening, let alone the reasoning behind it. I asked him to try and confirm as soon as possible if our car would be affected by this change, and to check if they had any existing inventory of the manual or automatic Brezza available.
After a couple of days, our RM confirmed that our vehicle would indeed come without the Smart Hybrid, and that the most recent shipments of manual Brezzas had already started arriving without the system. There was still no clarity on why this change was made, although it could have been because of supply constraints.
It also turned out that there was an automatic Brezza of the same specification available and that he had blocked both cars for us pending our decision.

From a driver's standpoint, I don't believe the Smart Hybrid really contributes to the driving experience. It just does its thing in the background, unlike a strong hybrid where you can actually enjoy driving in pure-EV mode now and then. My father was quite keen on having the tech in the car regardless.
But the fact remains that Maruti removed a fairly complex system from the car without offering any discount or additional equipment to compensate for it. We would have been satisfied if the manual Brezza lost the Smart Hybrid but gained features like 6 airbags or 360 degree cameras instead (Naturally this would hit ZXI+ customers harder since there's nothing extra left to add).

The sales staff were also rather bemused by Maruti's decision. "The rear seatbelt alarm they added is not equal to the smart hybrid they removed", one of them said. But they also mentioned that they hadn't had anyone cancel their manual Brezza orders so far. The YouTube comments section paints a very different picture, but then again, the comments section is the comments section.

I actually considered jumping back to the competition (Venue or Sonet), but the Brezza still is a good option for someone like my retired father (Maruti service, exchange value for our old SX4, simplicity of the torque converter automatic). The Brezza also has a fairly relaxed nature, and that pairs well with the TC automatic.
In the end, we decided to shift our booking from the manual to the automatic Brezza for the added convenience, and some comfort from the thought that we're getting what we're paying for.

[AutomotiveWorsh]

Originally Posted by UD17

The new version are non ISG. The step is due to chip unavailability and would continue for minimum 6 month, after that it all depends on chip availability.

ISG is a sort of alternator only with additional functionality. The application of ISG motor has nothing to do with the reliability, and yes alternators are quite reliable, there are millions of car running on the field with regular alternators.

As mentioned by many members, this SHVS is just a 12V system (IIRC) and certainly can not provide the 2.5KMPL mileage difference wrt the non ISG version. The fuel efficiency figures are tested figures from a controlled running (Ideal conditions). In real world its difficult to predict the difference.

As advertised by Maruti, this ISG provides torque assist while acceleration. And now, when this is removed, milage has gone down by 2.5 KMPL. And this is making sense to me as well. if, as per you, thats not the case, so, what more Maruti has changed which resulted in reduced milage as claimed by them only notwithstanding the fact that milage is one of their main USP.

[Rajeshkumark82]

So, is there a possibility Maruti might reduce the prices?

[Gamemaztr]

Just for reference, while toggling through the MID, saw this. The numbers seem to be good in terms of saving of fuel. For my 1000km per month of pure city driving, I refuel the car three times. So, if between every refuel, I am able to save around 1.1-1.2 Lts of fuel, the reduction in mileage claimed by MSIL due to removal of SHVS seems to have point.

To speak a bit about environment, saving this amount of petrol will reduce around 2.2-2.5 kilograms of CO2. Which means around 80-90 kilograms of reduction of CO2 emissions from one car. For every 1000 Brezzas being sold without SHVS, the CO2 emissions will increase by 80,000-90,000 kilograms.

Wonder how MSIL is going to deal with it. Have never heard of MSIL or any other auto manufacturer adopting forests and helping in afforestation.