Maruti has hinted that they might reconsider launching the BS-6 Diesel Maruti Ciaz, Ertiga, Brezza and other big models, but only by 2021.
Sometime early this year, Maruti Suzuki confirmed that they will discontinue their diesel engines post April 2020. Once the BS-6 norms are kicked in, Maruti will only sell petrol cars in India. Now, Maruti seems to have taken a U-Turn!
ET Auto now states that Maruti might launch bigger models like Ciaz with a BS-6 diesel engine. While the hatchbacks and Dzire will still continue with petrol, CNG and mild-hybrid engines, other models in the lineup might get the diesel engine.
Maruti states that with their decision to discontinue diesel engines, Mahindra and Hyundai might encash on it efficiently. What Maruti feared was the loss of market share in the sector, which is still reeling from its slowdown.
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Taking a look at sales for the past two years, diesel engines are better selling when it comes to SUVs as well as sedans. Maruti has the S-Cross, Ertiga, XL6, Brezza and Ciaz in its bigger cars lineup. These cars without diesel engines will take a heavy toll on sales.
Maruti has started testing the 1.5 Litre DDiS 225 diesel engine, that now comes on the Ciaz. Instead of developing the tried and tested 1.3 Litre Fiat-sourced DDiS diesel engine, it has decided to go on with its own engine. The new diesel unit is developed by Maruti itself.
The engine on the Ciaz produces around 105 PS and 225 Nm of peak torque. For XL6, S-Cross and the upcoming Vitara mid-size SUV, the power figures will be jacked up. The report states that Ciaz, XL6 and S-Cross might get the engine first, later with the Brezza and S-Cross.
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Further, this engine might also be supplied to Toyota, who will use it in its upcoming products. This will also help in reducing the production costs. Toyota plans to sell rebadged versions of Ciaz and Ertiga, but with a different design language.
