Maruti Suzuki already has quite an expansive range of CNG cars in its portfolio, and the carmaker will soon be expanding the S-CNG lineup with more models such as the Swift and Dzire. Maruti Suzuki is also working on a CNG version of the Vitara Brezza which will be its first SUV to offer a CNG powertrain straight from the factory. We will tell you more about it here.
- Power to come from 1.5-litre K15B engine
- Power and torque will be lower than petrol model
- Another cosmetic update for the Brezza in the works
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza CNG: what we know so far
Maruti Suzuki is planning to offer a CNG option on all models that retail through its Arena chain of dealerships. With the Swift and Dzire expected to join the S-CNG lineup soon, the Vitara Brezza will be the only model remaining to receive the CNG treatment.
Sources tell us that the Vitara Brezza CNG will be powered by the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. However, in CNG spec, this engine will produce lesser power and torque than the current 105hp and 138Nm it produces in petrol guise, similar to other CNG-powered Maruti models.
While power and torque will take a dip, the Brezza CNG will be a lot more efficient that the petrol-powered version. Also, as we have seen with most other Maruti S-CNG models, CNG versions of the Vitara Brezza will likely be offered on the mid-spec LXI and VXI trims and not on the top-spec ZXI+ trim.
Refreshed Vitara Brezza in the pipeline
While the Vitara Brezza was facelifted in 2020, with minor styling tweaks and the switch to being a petrol-only model, Maruti is expected to give it another cosmetic update soon. This is partially because this generation has been around since 2016 and also due to fierce competition in the segment. What remains unclear is whether Maruti will launch the CNG version with the current model or with the updated model.
Maruti Suzuki Bullish on CNG cars
While announcing the brand’s FY2021 annual report, Maruti Suzuki chairman, RC Bhargava, in the light of stricter emission norms and sky-rocketing fuel prices, said, “Fortunately, in our market the use of CNG, particularly for small cars, has proved very acceptable to customers.”
Maruti Suzuki is thus working towards improving the technology for CNG as well as hybrid cars, which can significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It was also pointed out in Maruti Suzuki’s annual report that despite overall sales declining by eight percent in the domestic market in FY 2020-21, the sale of CNG vehicles grew by nearly 50 percent.
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