Maruti's strong hybrid powertrain to debut on Fronx facelift

Maruti Suzuki’s first strong-hybrid powertrain is based on the Z12E engine that is currently available in the Swift.

Having introduced a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain on the Grand Vitara and Invicto, Maruti Suzuki is developing its own strong hybrid tech for its upcoming low and mid-level hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The first model to get the new powertrain will be the Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki’s first strong-hybrid powertrain is based on the Z12E engine that is currently available in the Swift. It will debut on the Fronx facelift due next year. The new HEV powertrain will also be offered on other models, including the next-gen Baleno.

Maruti’s HEV powertrain will feature a series hybrid setup, unlike the series-parallel hybrid system sourced from Toyota. The former is essentially a range-extender, wherein the petrol engine is used as an electricity generator, which charges the battery, instead of driving the wheels.

Although Maruti Suzuki is also working on EVs, the carmaker has been focusing on CNG and hybrid powertrain technology. With the introduction of its own HEV powertrain, customers will have a wider range of options to choose from. These include Petrol, Petrol Mild Hybrid, in-house Petrol Strong Hybrid, Toyota-sourced Strong Hybrid, CNG and EV.

Source: Autocar India