Maruti Suzuki might launch Swift Hybrid and Dzire Hybrid

New information has emerged that Maruti Suzuki could introduce not just one, but two hybrid vehicles in India. These will are Swift Range Extender and a Dzire based on it.

The manufacturer's idea to bring in hybrid models that will be based on popular products is to make them appealing to a wider audience. The company had already unveiled the Swift Range Extender, which is an electric vehicle based on the Swift. Similarly a Dzire hybrid could also be introduced which will be based on this project.

At present, the Swift hybrid is powered by a 658cc, three-cylinder, petrol mill that is coupled with an electric motor which together have a combined power output of 73bhp.. This unit is paired to a single-speed automatic gearbox. It seems almost logical that this powerplant be carried over to the Dzire hybrid, which will be a plug-in hybrid compact-sedan.

While the combined fuel economy of the Swift hybrid is claimed to be 48.2kmpl, the fuel efficiency of the Dzire might be a little less as the sedan is a slightly bigger car with a higher overall weight. Nevertheless, it can be driven for around 25.5 km in pure electric mode and the battery takes just 1.5 hours to be fully charged via a 200V socket.

It is good to see different manufacturers coming up with more electric vehicles in our country. The FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles) India scheme launched by the Government of India seems to have had a welcome change in the automobile market. This scheme is a part of National Electric Mobility Mission Plan and under this initiative the government will give discounts on electric vehicles in our country. Let us hope these electric and hybrid vehicles see the light of the day soon when they can be seen running on the roads after their launch.

Source: HT