Maruti To Launch Ciaz SHVS Diesel Hybrid on 1st September 2015

In an aggressive release campaign by Maruti, it is the Ciaz that makes major headway. It’s been almost a year since the Ciaz was introduced into the Honda City -Verna segment and now with its new attractive SHVS version, it’s bound to leave a mark, a green and fuel efficient mark.

The SHVS version will be the first car with the Hybrid tag in the segment. Though it’s not exactly a hybrid and instead comes as a ‘mild-hybrid’, another word for retrofitted fuel-saving technology into an already fuel efficient car.

What is a “mild-hybrid” car?

The SHV Ciaz will come with a lot of persuasive segment-first features that are aimed at increasing fuel efficiency through the implementation of smart technology as well as simple ideas like a gear shift indicator that gives optimum gear shift advice.

The 1.3-litre Multijet engine will come with a larger battery to accommodate the power required by the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) to provide the engine with power assistance and regenerative breaking that funnels the energy back into the vehicle's electrical system during deceleration in order to further improve efficiency.

The car will also boast of the engine start-stop technology, seen generally in high end cars in the market, which automatically shuts the engine at stand stills and starts upon releasing the clutch. Both the start-stop as well as the regenerative breaking will have dedicated signs on the instrument panel.

Apart from the SHVS hybrid technology, the car is pretty much the same as the earlier diesel variant– the looks, the engine, generous rear legroom and a long list of features. The Ciaz has already managed to replace the Verna at second place in overall sales in the segment since its launch. The new fuel efficient technology is surely going to attract the Indian consumer and leaves the ground shaky for the Honda City.

The car will be launched all India on the 1^st of September 2015 and will be sold through the NEXA Maruti Showrooms, speculation has it that the price would be about 50,000 more than the previous model.