Maruti Not To Reintroduce 1.5-Litre Diesel Motor, Plans Axed
Maruti had been working on its BS6-compliant 1.5-litre diesel motor for over a year
Maruti Suzuki has decided not to introduce its BS6-compliant 1.5-litre diesel motor due to concerns over return on investment.
The country’s top carmaker currently only sells petrol, mild-hybrid petrol and CNG vehicles in India and was supposed to reintroduce its 1.5-litre diesel motor in BS6 form.
Test mules of the Ertiga MPV were spotted with the DDiS 225 mill under the bonnet last year and a recent development stated that the company had plans to first fit the diesel motor in the XL6 MPV and launch the model by January 2022.
The 1.5-litre Maruti diesel motor was also expected to find its way under the bonnet of the second-generation Vitara Brezza which is due next year and even the Ciaz, apart from the Ertiga and a slew of SUVs the company has lined up for launch till 2023.
The decision to stop work on Maruti Suzuki’s future diesel models has been taken by Suzuki Motor Corporation citing return on investment issues.
It is likely that Maruti will continue to expand its CNG model range, with the Swift and Dzire expected to get a factory-fitted CNG kit soon.
The carmaker is also working on electric vehicles, the first of which is set to be launched in 2025 with a circa Rs. 10 lakhs (ex-showroom) price tag.
Maruti’s decision to shelve its diesel model plans will provide a boost to its rivals Tata Motors, Hyundai, among others, who continue to offer diesel variants of their products to this day.