[anjan_c2007]

Maruti, as we already know was developing a 800 cc diesel engine to power its smaller cars since mid - 2012. Being built on a modular platform, it can have a number of variants.

It is also developing a 1.5 litre diesel (four cylinder) engine for the Indian market and a 1.6 litre diesel for the European market. This 1.5 L will power the Ciaz in about two to three years time and also the Ertiga.

The two diesels will complement the Fiat 1.3 MJD that is being widely used since nearly a decade in Marutis.

The competition has come out with more advanced diesels in the higher 1.5 L segment and Marutis cosiness and laid back attitude, depending wholly on the 1.3 Fiat MJD, may see others usurp its position. Hence the proactive approach was adapted by MSIL to develop the two engines to fully equip its range and fill the gaps between the infra 1200 cc and ultra 1200 cc market niches.

More on this link:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/.../44447976.cms#

[Autodoc]

Well, later than never I guess. We've been hearing about this for quite a long time. Can't help but wonder why it took them so long. Though the national engine of India is a gem, Maruti could always have done so much better. The underpowered Ciaz is the right example. With an inhouse developed engine they could price it even more attractively and if the engine is developed in india from scratch it would do really well. That 800cc diesel engine in celerio could make it sell like hot cakes, not that it's doing any bad right now. On a slightly different note, any further news on the 600cc diesel engine TATA was developing to be plonked into nano?

Thanks
Sunny

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by Autodoc

Well, later than never I guess. We've been hearing about this for quite a long time. Can't help but wonder why it took them so long. Though the national engine of India is a gem, Maruti could always have done so much better. The underpowered Ciaz is the right example. With an inhouse developed engine they could price it even more attractively and if the engine is developed in india from scratch it would do really well. That 800cc diesel engine in celerio could make it sell like hot cakes, not that it's doing any bad right now. On a slightly different note, any further news on the 600cc diesel engine TATA was developing to be plonked into nano?

Thanks
Sunny

That project has been shelved, a long time back. Unfortunately.

http://articles.economictimes.indiat...diesel-variant


Maruti needs this engine fast, paying royalties to Fiat is hurting their margin and is unnecessarily making their diesel offerings costly. Just consider the case of Honda, what a single engine has done to them. They are now the 3rd/4th largest car maker in India.
Apart from in-house diesels, Maruti needs small capacity turbocharged petrols, like Ecoboost. Read somewhere that it is about to debut with name K10C.


Regards,
Shashi

[Nitthari]

Albeit a little late it is better late than never. This is a very good and a practical decision by Suzuki. With the compact SUV and compact sedan space hotting up, this decision will ensure that Maruti keep their number status for a long period of time. Hope fully the 1.5l diesel will ensure that the cars are never short on power :-)

[blue_pulsar]

Given that this is Suzuki's first shot with modern diesels, I feel the long term reliability of this engine is a suspect. I hope their design is inspired by the MJD.

[LOL_FWD]

1.3 MJD being used currently is okay. New 1.5 and 1.6L diesel engines are also okay. But Why no good petrol engines? Or maybe a turbo petrol?
The last "good" petrol car offered was the Kizashi which was out of reach because of the hefty pricetag. We know that our country is obsessed with FE. But, given the drop in petrol prices and less cost for a petrol car people are more inclined towards the petrol cars!
BTW, took the new Ciaz for a test drive. Very disappointed with the underpowered engine.

[Autodoc]

Originally Posted by LOL_FWD

1.3 MJD being used currently is okay. New 1.5 and 1.6L diesel engines are also okay. But Why no good petrol engines? Or maybe a turbo petrol?
The last "good" petrol car offered was the Kizashi which was out of reach because of the hefty pricetag. We know that our country is obsessed with FE. But, given the drop in petrol prices and less cost for a petrol car people are more inclined towards the petrol cars!
BTW, took the new Ciaz for a test drive. Very disappointed with the underpowered engine.

Very rightly pointed out. Petrol engines really have future and turbo petrol, a very bright future. What ford did with that 1l eco boost engine is truly inspiring. And now hyundai has developed two turbo petrol engines. Not only does turbo petrol engines offer good refinement the fuel efficiency proportionately improves. Maruti has the R&D to develop such a game changer but it's kinda sad to see them stick to conventional engines. Even tata has developed an in house turbo petrol engine.

Thanks
Sunny

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

... Hence the proactive approach was adapted by MSIL....

Seriously? This is called 'Proactive'?

When the world is headed towards turbo petrols they start with Diesels.

True, maruti does enjoy a following in indian market and that will keep them afloat till these engines actually see daylight on production models. But 2-3 years down the line I wonder if diesels will have the sort of craze they used to enjoy around 2010-2013 period. Only time will tell.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

When the world is headed towards turbo petrols they start with Diesels.

Suzuki's turbo petrol engines are speculated to be undergoing testing in their Premium hatchback -YRA.

More info in this thread .
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ol-engine.html

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by Autodoc

On a slightly different note, any further news on the 600cc diesel engine TATA was developing to be plonked into nano?

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

That project has been shelved, a long time back. Unfortunately.

Nano diesel engine displaces about 800 CC. Nano diesel may have been shelved but not the engine - it will soon be launched in a new model of Tata Ace.

[GTO]

Totally agree with SoumenD. Maruti has always been a laggard in the area of R&D. They're the largest car maker in the country and still, the only one to have not built one measly diesel engine till date. Quite a shame. This lackadaisical approach is reminiscent of the 90s when they were literally begging Suzuki for 'gearbox technology'. Damn, common-rail diesels are hardly rocket science today.

Even from their petrol motors, the only one that has really impressed me is the 1.2L K series (a jewel, IMHO).

[blue_pulsar]

Originally Posted by GTO

This lackadaisical approach is reminiscent of the 90s when they were literally begging Suzuki for 'gearbox technology'.

Isn't it true that:
1. Maruti and Suzuki are also technology partners. As in - technology developed by Suzuki also belongs to Maruti and vice versa.
2. Maruti engineers contribute to Suzuki Japan R&D.

But yeah, I agree to that fact that Maruti have been losing to the competition by quite a decent margin on R&D, left on their own.

In this case, Maruti played a masterstroke when they got the rights to plonk in the MJD in Swift. But the pro-activeness to develop something in-house is non-existent. It is something even their parent Suzuki lack expertise in.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

Maruti and Suzuki are also technology partners.

Maruti today is the Indian subsidiary of Suzuki. I'm talking of the time when the Government of India & Maruti were 50:50 partners (link). Maruti engineers weren't even capable of designing a full gearbox on their own then (related read).

[ahuja365]

Maruti also needs to develop six speed manual and six speed or higher automatic transmission.May be a dual clutch automatic gearbox is also the need of the hour when efficiency and low emmissions are the next standard to survivie in the automobile world.They also need to give indians an affordable sportscar which could make people more attractive towards the brand.

[blacksport]

Too late. By the time they launch their new diesel engines here there won't be enough market left for diesels anymore. In the small car segments, since diesel and petrol fuel prices are closing up, buying diesel cars wouldn't make sense anymore.