Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS (Hybrid) launch tomorrow

Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch its first mild hybrid product in India. Termed Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS, the mild hybrid will be launched tomorrow with a marginal premium over the diesel Ciaz. It will be the most efficient production car in the Country (if you leave out the all-electric e2o) as sources tell us that the Ciaz Hybrid will come with an ARAI certified mileage of about 28kmpl.

The mild Hybrid Ciaz essentially uses automatic start-stop technology to turn off the engine when the car is stationary at stop-lights or otherwise for over a few seconds. Don’t expect major economy gains over the diesel Ciaz although you will save a bit of fuel when driving through peak traffic when there is a large likelihood of frequent stops along the route. When such a system is fitted to a car, it is essential to run peripheral functions that depend on the engine for their functioning. The Ciaz SHVS will come with Deceleration Energy Regeneration system that sends wasted energy into a electrical system for storage. This system takes load off the alternator which improves fuel economy over a period of time.

Only the diesel Ciaz is expected to get the SHVS treatment. The government now offers incentives on cars with any kind of hybrid system manufactured in India and the level of the incentive is measured by the extent of fuel saving. In case of the Ciaz, if all it features is a stop-start system with efficiency gains of less than 10 percent, it gets the smallest Rs 11,000 incentive.