Maruti Suzuki is readying as many as 4 new CNG variants for the Ertiga, even top-end models are among the list
The country’s larger car maker, Maruti Suzuki, might soon launch as many as 4 new variants of its successful Ertiga MPV with CNG option. The news broke out after a circular given to New Delhi Transport Department got revealed online.
The circular which was reportedly drafted by ARAI has the type approval certificate it gave to the auto maker’s 5 new test mules granting approval to get them registered for road use with the New Delhi Transport Department.
From the details of the circular, it’s evident that the 5 test mules are the new CNG manual variants of the Ertiga MPV. They are VXi (O) CNG, ZXi CNG, ZXi (O) CNG, Tour M CNG, and Tour M (O) CNG.
Maruti Suzuki already sells 2 manual CNG variants of the Ertiga – VXi CNG and ZXi CNG. Additionally, there’s a lone Tour STD CNG variant that caters to the taxi segment. So, there are as many as 4 new variants in the making, 2 for private buyers and 2 for taxi operators.
The new private variants are the VXi (O) CNG and the ZXi (O) CNG while the new taxi variants are the Tour M CNG and the Tour M (O) CNG. The (O) in these variants means optional extras which could either be an additional airbag or some other safety equipment.
If these models get launched, the total number of variants for the private Ertiga would rise to 11 while the taxi variants will rise to 3. Just last month, Maruti Suzuki launched the 2022 Ertiga with a host of updates.
The lineup currently starts at Rs. 8.35 lakhs for the base LXi and goes up to Rs. 12.79 lakhs for the top-end ZXi Plus AT variant (all prices, ex-showroom).
Power comes from a 1.5-litre (1462cc to be exact), 4-cylinder engine that has been tuned to deliver 99 BHP at 6000 RPM and 136 Nm at 4200 RPM when fed with petrol and 87 BHP at 5500 RPM and 121.5 Nm at 4200 RPM when fuelled with CNG in the S-CNG models of the MPV.
The claimed fuel efficiency figure is 26.11 km/kg in S-CNG form. As standard, the 2022 Ertiga has dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX anchorages (second row) and seatbelt reminder for front passengers.
