Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer, is all set to expand its CNG portfolio in the country. The company recently launched the S-CNG versions of the Baleno and XL6 in India. Now, the carmaker is gearing up to introduce the S-CNG versions of the Brezza and Grand Vitara. Upon launch, they will be Maruti’s first-ever SUVs to come with a factory-fitted CNG kit.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza S-CNG
The upcoming Maruti Suzuki Brezza S-CNG has already been spotted at dealerships and it’s likely to be launched in India soon. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated bi-fuel petrol engine. This motor develops 86.7 bhp and 121 Nm of torque in the CNG mode in XL6. It will come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox only.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara S-CNG
Toyota has started accepting bookings for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder E-CNG for a token amount of Rs 25,000 and its prices will be announced soon. Following Hyryder’s launch, Maruti Suzuki is expected to introduce the Grand Vitara S-CNG. Both these CNG mid-size SUVs will share mechanicals with each other. They’ll get the same mill that will power the upcoming Brezza CNG as well.
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Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Grand Vitara S-CNG: Price
Maruti Suzuki is expected to soon announce the prices of the S-CNG versions of the Brezza and Grand Vitara. They are likely to demand a premium of Rs 1 lakh over their petrol-only counterparts. Currently, the Brezza is priced from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 13.96 lakh while the Grand Vitara retails from Rs 10.45 lakh to Rs 19.65 lakh, ex-showroom.
- Grand Vitara CNG should be launched following Hyryder CNG.
- It’s likely to be offered in mid-spec Delta and Zeta trims.
- Will use Maruti’s 1.5-litre engine developing 88PS in CNG mode.
- Likely to command a premium of around Rs 1 lakh over equivalent petrol variants.
The Toyota Hyryder is set to become the first compact SUV to get the CNG option in the country. Set to follow in the footsteps of the Toyota is its Maruti clone, the Grand Vitara. However, if introduced, we expect it to be launched post the launch of Brezza CNG, which is expected to happen soon.
Like the Hyryder CNG which comes in mid-spec S and G trims, Maruti could offer the CNG option in the Grand Vitara’s equivalent Delta and Zeta trims. In terms of pricing, you can expect the CNG option to set you back by Rs 1 lakh over the respective petrol-only variants, which cost Rs 11.9 lakh and Rs 13.89 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively for the petrol-only Delta and Zeta trims.
Since the CNG option is not offered in the top-spec trim, you might need to sacrifice on niceties like a sunroof. However, it still comes with goodies like a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, cruise control, electronic stability control and up to six airbags.
The CNG option will be offered only with Maruti’s 1.5-litre engine that puts out 88PS and 121.5Nm when driven in CNG mode. Like the Hyryder, the Grand Vitara CNG is likely to get only the five-speed stick-shifter. However, considering that Maruti might offer the Brezza CNG with an auto ‘box, we wouldn’t discount the same for its compact SUV.
So, the Grand Vitara CNG, if launched, will become the second model in its segment after the Toyota Hyryder to get this alternative fuel option. Both SUVs also offer a strong-hybrid powertrain option for those prioritising higher fuel efficiency.