TL;DR
- Maruti is testing a new, hybrid variant of the current-generation Swift with a Z-series engine.
- While the 1.2L Z-Series petrol engine features three cylinders and offers exceptional mileage, it is also available in a CNG variant.
- Sure, the hybrid version will offer slightly better mileage than the regular ICE version. However, it would also increase the vehicle’s manufacturing cost, which, in turn, will inflate its selling price.
Aside from the fact that it has a three-cylinder engine, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift offers everything that a first-time buyer wants, including the best-in-class mileage. However, the company is reportedly testing a new variant of the Swift with a slightly different powertrain than the one revealed earlier this year.
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Maruti Suzuki Swift Hybrid Spotted In India
According to spy shots captured by TeamBHP, Maruti is testing a new, hybrid variant of the current-generation Swift with a Z-series engine. In the shots, one can see the 4th Generation Swift on the road with a hybrid badge on the tailgate. Does that mean that the automaker is gearing up to reveal the hybrid variant in Indian markets?
Well, not so fast. While the 1.2L Z-Series petrol engine features three cylinders and offers exceptional mileage, it is also available in a CNG variant, wherein the mileage goes beyond exceptional. A hybrid version, however, is available in global markets, which offers about 2 bhp more peak power (82 bhp instead of 80 bhp) and the same peak torque (112 nm). Further, the hybrid version gets a CVT transmission instead of AMT on the regular version.
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However, It Doesn’t Make Sense For The Company To Up The Swift’s Cost
Sure, the hybrid version will offer slightly better mileage than the regular ICE version. However, it would also increase the vehicle’s manufacturing cost, which, in turn, will inflate its selling price. Hence, it is unlikely that Maruti will launch the Swift with a hybrid powertrain, especially after launching the car’s CNG variant. The fact that the car spotted in the spy shots isn’t camouflaged adds to this hypothesis.
But if the company isn’t planning to launch the Swift Hybrid, what is it doing testing the vehicle here? From what it looks like, Maruti might be using the vehicle to calibrate its ADAS system (a feature offered with the global trims). Even if there’s more to it than it seems, we’ll wait for more information to surface before commenting upon it.
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