Maruti Suzuki is considering production of their own diesel engines very seriously. Recently we reported that the company is working on a 2-cylinder 800cc diesel engine for its upcoming Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV). Reports have now emerged that the company will use the same platform to build a family of diesel engines ranging from 0.8-litres to 1.6-litres. The 1.2-litre engine is likely to power the Swift and Ritz while the 1.4 to 1.6-litre diesel engines would power the Ertiga, SX4 and upcoming compact SUV XA Alpha.
The 800cc diesel engine is currently in the pre-development phase and is most likely to be launched in 2014-2015. Maruti has always been known to provide quality products at an affordable price. But being their first diesel engine, it is very important for the company to focus on important parameters like performance, emission levels, fuel efficiency and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels. It is most likely the 800cc diesel engine will be seen in the next generation A-Star (codenamed YL7).
We have seen how a diesel engine has made a turnaround for Honda’s sales within a year. Though current Maruti cars run on Fiat-sourced 1.3-Multijet diesel engines, the company can’t rely completely on Fiat for the future. At some point they have to produce diesel engines on their own as being self sufficient is important in today’s competitive business environment.
Maruti Suzuki was in talks with Fiat for the supply of their 1.6-litre Multijet engine but the talks did not materialise prompting India’s largest car maker into developing their own diesel powertrains. Maruti Suzuki has decided it is high time for them to act as they have to pay additional license fee to Fiat to use their diesel engines. We can expect a marginal price reduction in the price of diesel powered Maruti cars once they start using their own engines. Considering how the Indian market is moving towards diesel engines, this move is a welcome one.
Source – EconomicTimes
