[Screwdriva]

Hmmm....just when I thought I was ready to overlook Maruti for falling behind in the game, they continue to surprise me. First with their mass market CNG launches and now with these electric initiatives.

Id expect the SX4 Hybrid to give a good 15kmpl in real world conditions. Go Maruti!

[sanagg1]

Any launch dates announced?

Any info on price, specification etc.

Cheers

[ghodlur]

Great news. Hats off to Maruti for pulling an ace out of its sleeves. Maruti defintely needed to heed to the need of the hour and has taken the mantle of pioneering the technology call for envoirnment issues.

I hope they put their research into action and start rolling the cars from their factories. I dont think the other car manufacturer are going to sit quite and let Maruti take the lead.

[theMAG]

If Maruti India R&D ran with this, then I am proud of Maruti for probably the first time!

[bkbkr1212]

Originally Posted by theMAG

If Maruti India R&D ran with this, then I am proud of Maruti for probably the first time!

+google to that theMag.

We can all be proud of this company, at last. Tata did it with Nano. Ok, there were few cars burnt. But there are 1000s running in various parts of India. That's quite commendable.

Eventual launching of this vehicle to the market will help Maruti come out of what people always complain them about not being innovative etc.

We'll all have to wait for the price of the machine.
If it comes out with a decent price (since people don't like expensive stuff from poor Maruti. We Indians can't or don't want to come out 800 associated with Maruti. It's high time we do it, methinks), this could be a real shaker in the C-segment.
Vento, ANHC, T-Jet etc will need to do something soon.

I shudder to think what will be the resale value of my 2008 SX4 Zxi

[CARDEEP]

Good stuff from Maruti-Suzuki & a nice initiative, making it the third to do so in India (after Reva & Tata).

I always wonder why the commuter hybrids launched in India (Civic & not SX4) have puny petrol engines (1.3L & 1.2L respectively). Especially when both these cars are heavy (competitors in US), making these good for city only.

But, at least the pricing can be expected to be very good, unlike the Prius (though it's got a bigger engine) & Civic (initial pricing).

[strips007]

Originally Posted by Su-47

SX4: 50KW sounds like a lot of power for the electric motor given that the likes of Civic Hybrid have only a 20hp motor.

Eeco: 50KW motor, 24KWH Battery == Less than half an hour on full power? If the max speed it can attain is 100kph at full power, how can it have a range of 100Km?

Well if you follow this logic then we should be flooring the accelerator paddle of a petrol engine all the time. I think petrol engine is giving 10% of its peak output most of the time. Also electric motor has one more jewel, it can regenerate the energy back when brake is applied and does not need any power when stopped. So I guess its possible to go 100 km with one charge. Tthese LI-ion batteries are expensive. TIny one for laptop cost 3-4000.

[srishiva]

Great job Maruti.

I always feel bad when stopping and moving slowly in traffic. This is where just a electric motor would be so much efficient.

[maglev]

I saw one of the SX4's yesterday at Khan Market, New Delhi. Around 1600hrs.

Pics attached:

[u_chill]

Wow! A Prius competitor on a proven platform with possible price tag under Rs 10 lacs INR. Launch it now for the nation's sake Maruti!

[Abhi_Automobile]

Id expect the SX4 Hybrid to give a good 15kmpl in real world conditions. Go Maruti!

Well, the K Series alone (running by itself) gives that mileage. The 1.8L+ Electric engine in Prius gives 16+ kpl. This SX4 should technically give close to 20kpl. In real world, it should be more than 18kpl. WOW!

18kpl, 152 bhp (85 bhp+67bhp), 10 lakhs. WOW!

BTW, if Maruti is reeeeeaaalllllly smart, it should plonk this engine in upcoming Kizashi. 14-15L, almost Accord size Civic price, hybrid efficiency!

[CARDEEP]

I beg to disagree with u_chill & Abhi_Automobile, I do not expect the car to be priced under INR 10 lacs. I believe SX4 Hybrid will cost INR 12-13 Lacs, ex-showroom (this is approximately the same price as that of Civic Hybrid after massive discounts by Honda).

Regarding the mileage, I reckon it will be over 20 kmpl in combined cycle.

[undead]

Electric Eeco is a good challenge. An UV electric vehicle. I wish maruti could bring e-Alto. It could take a reasonable success for people driving in cities alone.