Maruti Suzuki has rolled out India’s first indigenously developed hybrid car Ciaz.
Jumping on the bandwagon of developing environment-friendly vehicles, India’s largest passenger vehicle maker Maruti Suzuki (MSI) has launched the mild hybrid version of mid-sized sedan Ciaz, priced between Rs 8.23 lakh and Rs 10.17 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Propagated as the most fuel-efficient car in the country at 28.09 kmpl mileage, the Ciaz SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) will be available only in the diesel version that is powered by a 1.3 ltr engine. Just like its petrol version, the mild hybrid version is close to 90 per cent localised with some electronics being sourced from advanced countries.
“Through Ciaz Smart Hybrid, we are deploying technology to benefit customers and the environment. The vehicle is also special because it helps us participate in India’s vision of promoting hybrid and electric vehicles,” Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, MSI said. He added that the company’s move to launch Ciaz SHVS comes in the wake of the government launching FAME India scheme in April to promote eco-friendly vehicles that envisages providing Rs 795 crore till 2020 for the manufacturing and sale of electric and hybrid vehicles.
It uses a starter generator and an advanced high capacity battery that stores energy generated while decelerating or braking and uses it to power an electric motor during acceleration thereby helping in enhanced fuel efficiency. However, into keep a check on costs, the company has resorted to lead acid batteries instead of Lithium-ion batteries which are used worldwide.
By virtue of being in the hybrid category, the Ciaz SHVS will get reduced excise benefit of 12.5 per cent instead of 24 per cent charged on the conventional version. Moreover, it will also get Rs 13,000 benefit under the FAME scheme. While the technology is imported from its parent company Suzuki, the high import cost will be offset by the incentives given by the government through lower excise duty of 12.5 per cent and subsidy extension of Rs 12,000- Rs 13,000 under electric and hybrid vehicle policy of FAME, which will help the company save over Rs 1 lakh on the ticket price.
In October, the company had launched Ciaz in both petrol and diesel options. The latter variant has been discontinued to be replaced by the hybrid version. The company will continue to sell the petrol version. At present the petrol variant is available in a range of Rs. 7.23 lakh to Rs 9.64 lakh.
Technical advancements
SHVS technology uses an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and an advance high capacity battery. This system supplements, making it more efficient than the conventional set up. The energy saved while decelerating/braking, which is otherwise lost, is stored in the advance high capacity battery and assists during acceleration (for e.g., gradient climbing). In CIAZ SHVS, the DDiS 200 variable geometry turbocharger super combo is paired with the ISG for enhancing its performance and fuel efficiency.
Idle Start Stop: The idle engine start/stop function on CIAZ SHVS turns off the engine automatically when the car is idling. It restarts the car as soon as the clutch is pressed. To re-start the engine, the system uses the stored energy. Restart is done by belt driven ISG, thereby assuring quick and silent restart.
Power Assist: The stored energy in advanced high capacity battery assists engine power during acceleration. This results into improved engine efficiency and prevents unnecessary loss of fuel.
Brake Energy Regeneration: Recuperation of the kinetic energy makes the Ciaz a true Smart Hybrid Vehicle. The ISG converts the energy from braking/deceleration of the car and stores it in the battery. This stored energy is later used to drive the ISG, to assist the engine’s idle start-stop function and assists the engine during acceleration.
Gear shift indicator: The gear shift indicator introduced in the Ciaz SHVS prompts the driver to effectively change the gears, resulting in enhanced fuel efficiency.
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