We informed you earlier that Maruti Suzuki is studying the market demand for diesel cars. The company had discontinued the diesel cars on the arrival of BSVI emission norms. A new media report claims that Maruti Suzuki is looking at re-introducing diesel cars in India in 2021. The company is expected to launch the diesel powered Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ertiga MPV.
The report suggests that the demand for diesel cars will stay, especially in the high-selling SUV and multi-purpose vehicle segments. Maruti Suzuki has started the process of upgrading its Manesar-based powertrain plant to start rolling out BSVI diesel engines from mid or festive season, 2021.
MSIL will upgrade the the current set-up at the Manesar plant. This plant was earlier used to produce in-house developed BS4 compliant 1,500cc diesel engine. This powertrain was offered briefly with the Ciaz sedan and the Ertiga. The Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Dzire, Swift and S-Cross were powered by Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel engine. The company is currently offering 4 petrol engines – 800cc 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre NA and DualJet, and the 1.5L NA.
MSI Chairman RC Bhargava has already said that the company would re-introduce the diesel cars if there is a market for such vehicles. It was reported that MSIL could introduce bigger BSVI diesel engine for big SUVs and sedans.
The BSVI compliant Maruti Ertiga and S-Cross diesel models have already been caught testing in India. In the BS4 form, the 1.5-litre DDiS diesel engine was capable of producing 104bhp of power and 225Nm of torque. Maruti Suzuki is also reportedly working on an all-new mid-sized SUV, which will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks. The new model will be designed and developed in collaboration with Toyota. In fact, the duo is also working on an all-new C-segment MPV to rival the Mahindra Marazzo.
Source – Buisness Today
