Maruti-Suzuki, the country’s largest carmaker on Monday launched the facelift of their Ciaz sedan. The sedan which features a new petrol engine, a 1.5-litre, 103 horsepower alongside the existing diesel engine. In a segment first the carmaker has equipped all variants of the car with a lithium-ion battery pack which coupled with an Integrated Generator Starter (IGS) makes the Ciaz into a ‘mild’ or as Maruti calls it a ‘Smart Hybrid’. The car uses its battery to start faster and help to accelerate but battery powered electric operation is not possible.
The hybrid option will give the Ciaz the highest fuel efficiency in its class. Maruti executives feel that the hybrid option will drive in new millennial customers. In addition the new hybrids will help the carmaker meet future ‘Corporate Average Fuel Economy’ norms and Maruti-Suzuki Executive Director, Engineering, CV Raman told The Pioneer that it is likely that hybrid systems will be launched in several other Maruti products in the future. The new Ciaz ranges in price from Rs 8.19 lakh to Rs 10.97 lakh.
