[TusharK]

Thanks to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent this images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this page!

A test mule of what appears to be a Maruti Baleno with a hybrid powertrain has been spotted testing. It was reportedly running range and compatibility trials with a variety of battery options.



The stickers on the car suggest that this could be the powertrain that Maruti is said to be developing in collaboration with Bosch. It also says "sHEV 48V", which, according to Bosch, is a 48 Volt "strong hybrid" powertrain. The 'e-drive' sticker near the rear wheel arch could mean that it might have a full electric mode with a limited range.



Unlike the SHVS mild hybrid engines currently being offered in some Maruti models, this Baleno appears to be a proper hybrid - similar to the Toyota Camry. A proper hybrid could easily double the Baleno's fuel efficiency, since Camry owners report getting 15 km/l in the city.

Link to Team-BHP News

[ChiragM]

Originally Posted by TusharK

The stickers on the car suggest that this could be the powertrain that Maruti is said to be developing in collaboration with Bosch. It also says "sHEV 48V", which is an indication that it has a 48 Volt series hybrid powertrain. The 'e-drive' sticker near the rear wheel arch could mean that it might have a full electric mode with a limited range.

It could be a BHEV or a Series-HEV.

It is interesting if the car is a Series hybrid electric vehicle. In a series-HEV, the engine powers a generator which charges the battery, which in turn powers the motor. The car runs on electric power and the engine only gives an extended range. Very few cars like the BMW i3 with a range extender and the Fisker Karma get this. If the Baleno is indeed equipped with a series hybrid system, it could be the first in India.

BHPian blackwasp says that Bosch has the series hybrid technology with them.

[blackwasp]

Looks like this is one step below the plug-in hybrid cars. Here is the source for the screengrab in Tushar's post.

[mayanksabharwal]

This could be a car by Bosch, and not by Maruti. Bosch has been known for carrying out such experiments. Here is one example form 2018, of Maruti Baleno, which was reviewed by Car and Bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMLmB4j7oPI

[amrutmhatre90]

Originally Posted by mayanksabharwal

This could be a car by Bosch, and not by Maruti. Bosch has been known for carrying out such experiments. Here is one example form 2018, of Maruti Baleno, which was reviewed by Car and Bike.

Bang on, was trying to find this glad you found the video. This car was showcased in some Autoshow. Doubt maruti will test a car without any camouflage.

[mayanksabharwal]

Originally Posted by amrutmhatre90

Bang on, was trying to find this glad you found the video. This car was showcased in some Autoshow. Doubt maruti will test a car without any camouflage.

Exactly. Very strange for Maruti to test a car with Bosch stickers, especially when they have similar tech available with parent company.

[fx45]

That looks like more of a tech demonstrator than a test mule.

[GTO]

Maruti is said to be working closely with Bosch to strengthen its hybrid tech. On the other hand, they could simply take it as-is from its new partner Toyota (who is also the Godfather of hybrids).

Am sure Maruti knows better than us that hybrids have potential in the near-term, and not EVs which are a pipe dream. Honda is also working on hybrids for the mass market. Whoever offers it will have a significant competitive advantage over the others. Might also stimulate new car demand as nothing quite like "double your FE" to attract customers.

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by GTO

Am sure Maruti knows better than us that hybrids have potential in the near-term, and not EVs which are a pipe dream.

Agree. But authorities also should become a bit wise. Now they are blindly demoting hybrids with such high tax rates. India is not ready for the electric era, and won't be so in any near future. Hybrids are the stepping step. Promote it. For that, the authorities have to come out of i) their foolish thoughts ii) the cocoon of power iii) the luxury of life and iv) never-ending looking towards developed countries for ideas for development.

[unk9ja]

This was for a roadshow by Bosch recently. This was to showcase the components of the EV that is being developed by Bosch There were multiple vehicles in the fleet, both 2W and 4W. The roadshow started in Bangalore and ended in Delhi covering Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur enroute. During the auto expo, Bosch had set up an alternate expo and had showcased and gave this Baleno as demo cars to drive.

[RaghuVis]

Originally Posted by unk9ja

This was for a roadshow by Bosch recently.

Well that explains it. MSIL certainly is not ready with Fully Hybrid Cars. If they were, government would have already announced some sops for fully hybrid cars. As GTO said in multiple threads, hybrids are the near future before electric wave and government needs to promote them. Government is just waiting for MSIL to come up with one!

[Pam81]

This is indeed a demonstrator built by Bosch to augment interest among Govt., OEMs and public. This sort of thing is not new for renowned Auto supplier.

Looking at the chart in the second image, our city drive will have ample opportunities to capture brake energy. However, quick & panic braking will never help in regenerating. Duration of the braking is proportional to increase in the amount of energy returned to Battery.

[Reinhard]

Whats more interesting to me than the Baleno Hybrid is - a technology and high-tech parts company like Bosch is ready to spend money to make these technology demonstrators; but actual auto makers are not interested in investing long term at all. Quite disappointing. They are more interested in investments to launch "premium versions" of cars rather than investing in real hardcore R&D and engineering.

Result of beancounters ruling true engineers in this world I guess.

Like GTO said - everyone knows that hybrids surely is the way to go in near term. EVs will take another 2 decades to become a new "normal" realistically.

Surely the government knows this too & the recent electrification calls are more of wake up calls with deadlines that will get relaxed after 1-2 years (some are already getting pushed ahead). Its a good initiative just to wake people up from their complecancy.

I hope the govermnent agencies also correct their errors in taxation of hybrids and benefits for such technologies. It will also create interest, investment & traction in the auto industry & those supporting it.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Whats more interesting to me than the Baleno Hybrid is - a technology and high-tech parts company like Bosch is ready to spend money to make these technology demonstrators; but actual auto makers are not interested in investing long term at all. --

The Japanese companies here are ready to launch the already available Hybrid technology and are awaiting the Govt. nod on tax benefits, but not seem to be coming.

Here is more on it:

Link (Hybrids - A transition phase to EVs in India)

[parrys]

Another Baleno spyshot surfaces.
What could this be?

Maruti Suzuki has had a very quiet 2020, is this their surprise launch for 2021?