[TusharK]

Earlier this year, Maruti Suzuki launched the fourth-generation Swift in India. Currently, the hatchback is offered with a Z-series petrol engine. However, there have been reports suggesting that a mild-hybrid version could be on offer.



A test mule of the Swift Hybrid was recently spotted in Bangalore. The car had absolutely zero camouflage, with even the ‘Hybrid’ badge on full display. That being said, it did have a sticker on the driver’s door, which says, “Test Vehicle” and has mic and camera icons.



While the car most certainly has a mild hybrid under the bonnet, we suspect that Maruti Suzuki is using the Swift Hybrid as a test bed to fine-tune its ADAS suite for Indian road conditions. It includes safety features such as collision mitigation, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.



In the international market, the Swift Hybrid has a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 12V mild-hybrid setup. It produces 82 BHP and 112 Nm and comes paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed CVT.



In India, Maruti Suzuki currently offers a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 80 BHP and 112 Nm. It is mated to a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT.

Thanks to Shankaran for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing them with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page!

Link to Team-BHP news

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by TusharK

it did have a sticker on the driver’s door, which says, “Test Vehicle” and has mic and camera icons.

OT: Any idea what this means? No interview and shooting?

Hybrid would be an interesting thing in Maruti fleets, will be king of FE and some additional oomph really wont hurt too with all the 3 cylinder business that they are back at.

[Sk8r]

Interesting times indeed.

Maruti's reliability + 35 KMPL + 5 star safety rating is probably a dream commuter car for the middle class Indian.

If they manage to bring this in at around 15 to 16 Lakhs, it'll be runaway success !

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

OT: Any idea what this means? No interview and shooting?

Hybrid would be an interesting thing in Maruti fleets, will be king of FE and some additional oomph really wont hurt too with all the 3 cylinder business that they are back at.

Likely to be the Series Hybrid (range-extender), for a 2025 launch!

[PreludeSH]

Mild-hybrid ? Why cant they give option to the buyer to pay for the extra cost of battery ? Can this make it a strong hybrid ? I hope the same software will manage the hybrid powertrain or make that strong hybrid software common.

[romeomidhun]

No camoflagues means the changes are under the bonnet. But why Maruti has to proclaim "Hybrid" loud? May be just to create some news and waves in the media.

Originally Posted by TusharK

we suspect that Maruti Suzuki is using the Swift Hybrid as a test bed to fine-tune its ADAS suite for Indian road conditions. It includes safety features such as collision mitigation, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

If it is really the ADAS testing, no other city than Bangalore will suit better! Such a chaotic traffic. It is the best city to test ADAS technology for India. I initially thought the Chennai traffic was the worst in South India. Once experienced Bangalore, you will praise even Chennai traffic. No offense to the Bangalore drivers here.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

OT: Any idea what this means? No interview and shooting?
.

They are taking privacy laws seriously. As a complying organisation they have stated in the sticker that the car is recording video and audio of the surroundings. If any party has an issue with this they use the QR code to report the same to the company and get their recordings deleted. First time from Maruti and kudos to them while other manufacturers run cars with dashcams without any such disclosure.

In certain other countries if this wasn’t done it would end up in huge penalties to the company. Not sure about the consequences here but at least they are complying.

[emperor_raizen]

Maruti must bring strong hybrids to the mass market segment. This will be a win-win situation for the company as well as consumers. And who knows, maybe they may pair the strong hybrid tech with the rumored 1.2l 3 cyl turbo petrol and replace their ages old 1.5l k series engine.

[zeus18]

Originally Posted by emperor_raizen

Maruti must bring strong hybrids to the mass market segment. This will be a win-win situation for the company as well as consumers. And who knows, maybe they may pair the strong hybrid tech with the rumored 1.2l 3 cyl turbo petrol and replace their ages old 1.5l k series engine.

But I don't think Maruti/ Suzuki has an expertise in this.

Even Toyota has only one turbocharged hybrid vehicle in offer, which is a Tundra. Others are naturally aspirated Hybrids.

If they could develop 1.2 z series into an engine compatible with both turbo and hybrid tech and make it into the cars, I'll appreciate it and probably get one 😀

[BSASLR]

A 12V mild-hybrid system isn’t the same as a Series Hybrid.
Maruti series hybrids will include battery packs up to 2 kWh and can offer fuel efficiency of up to 40 km/l.

According to Autocar, Toyota’s parallel hybrid systems are more suited for larger cars due to their higher cost.
Suzuki, the masters of small petrol engines, is expected to develop the series hybrid system and share it with Toyota.

Up to 40 kmpl in City!

The catch: on Highway the mileage at high speed may drop to 20 kmpl!

[umohan98]

Not sure if this question belongs to this thread or not, but here I go:

What are the different types of Hybrids that are available?

- There is a traditional hybrid, like the Camry or our Innova Hycross, where both the Engine and the e-motor can power the wheels, with a small (if any) pure EV range.

- Then there is a Plug In Hybrid, like the Rav4 Prime, where both the Engine and the e-motor can power the wheels, and additionally the battery can be charged externally, with a moderate EV only range.

- Then there are range extender EVs, not sure if they can be called hybrids, since the wheels are powered with only one source of energy, like the new Scout Harvesters and the BMW i3 of yore, where the sole purpose of the engine is to charge the battery, and the wheels are driven solely with electric power.

What are Series and Parallel Hybrids then?

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by umohan98

-
What are Series and Parallel Hybrids then?

Here is one explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Rq...hannel=ProfMAD

[ByKaizen]

The Hybrid logo does not have the word smart in it which brings us some hope that it is not their gimmick smart hybrid, if it is series then obviously it is a smart move by Maruti. If one person has 12L and want to buy a small, decently powered, smooth automatic car for city usage - the options are really limited.

[RM Motorsports]

As with other hybrids, boot space will surely take a hit with accommodating the battery pack. Already small boots in hatchbacks will make it more or less a city commuter than a highway horse.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

As with other hybrids, booth space will surely take a hit with accommodating the battery pack. Already small booths in hatchbacks will make it more or less a city commuter than a highway horse.

There is an option of integrating it below the front seats, like in the Hycross.