2015 Maruti Ciaz SHVS diesel hybrid review, test drive

The Ciaz SHVS also gets a Deceleration Energy Regenerating function. This comes into effect when the vehicle is being decelerated. Basically, what it does is that it “feeds” the energy back into the vehicle's electrical system during deceleration in order to further improve efficiency. A green-coloured SHVS indicator placed right at the centre of the instrument cluster lights up when this system is running. We found the SHVS light coming on only if the vehicle was being decelerated from a speed of approximately over 30kph. In order to let this system function, the driver has to ensure the vehicle isn't in neutral while decelerating and the driver’s foot is off the clutch pedal.

The third function seen in the Maruti Ciaz SHVS is the Engine Power Assist function which according to the carmaker, assists the engine power as a motor when the vehicle is running. There is even a gearshift indicator provided in the Ciaz SHVS to prompt drivers to change gears at the most ideal gear times – a feature seen in most modern-day Hyundai’s.

The Ciaz SHVS diesel retains the 89bhp 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced engine, which was already tuned for better performance than in the Ertiga, thanks to the recalibrated ECU.  The turbo still takes a while to spool up, but once active, the Ciaz feels far from sluggish in city driving. Apart from the added fuel-saving tech, we found the Ciaz diesel SHVS’ driving characteristics to be quite similar to the non-SHVS diesel Ciaz.