Refined Suzuki 1.5-L Diesel Motor Under Development

Despite several rumours that the new 1.5 L diesel motor from Maruti Suzuki will not see the light of the day, we have been informed that Maruti Suzuki has decided to stick to its earlier plans of launching the BSVI-compliant engine. Maruti will also adopt this engine to power many of its products from 2020 when BS-VI emission standards take effect. Also, the largest Indian automaker has confirmed that the existing 1.3 L Fiat diesel unit will be discontinued this year.

Also read - Maruti WagonR To Be Available in Four Options, But No Diesel Engine

Maruti Suzuki has had a hard time refining the new 1.5 L diesel motor so that it can meet the BSVI emission norms due to numerous reasons. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) is not the only issue. The diminishing popularity of diesel motors with auto buyers is another factor that negatively affected the development process of this motor. Moreover, the narrowing gap between diesel and petrol prices as well as the much higher price of diesel motor due to the expensive hardware to make diesel engines satisfy BSVI emission norms are also factors that the auto manufacturer has to take into consideration.

The 1.5L diesel engine will be continued by Maruti Suzuki instead of the 1.3L diesel unit

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Based on records, Maruti officials have claimed that the price gap between a petrol version and a diesel version which meet the BS-VI of the same automobile would amount to Rs 2.5 lakh from the current Rs 1 lakh. The NGT order which states that all the diesel cars which are more than 10 years old would be banned from travelling on Indian roads is another thing to consider.

Commenting on the decision to continue to develop the 1.5 L diesel motor, Kenichi Ayukawa, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director & MD for Maruti Suzuki India Ltd stated,

“We are readying the 1.5-litre diesel but the point is that how much are people expecting to run them? Because right now after 10 years buyers have to scrap diesel models. Under these conditions are people expected to buy diesel or not? Depending on, that we have to consider our diesel business.”

He also confirmed that Maruti Suzuki has already been ready for the launch of EVs. But before the volume is determined, the total infrastructure needs to be reorganized; otherwise, they will have great difficulties in expanding the EVs business. Accordingly, one of the first things that they will have to do is to establish an EV charging system in the country. The first EV manufactured by Maruti is expected to be based on the Wagon R. 

Maruti Suzuki will develop its first EV based on the Wagon R

Also read - Maruti to Develop an All-electric Version of WagonR, First EV for Maruti

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