Maruti Suzuki has started accepting bookings for the Ciaz SHVS hybrid variant. One needs to pay anywhere between Rs 11,000 to Rs 21,000 to book one. We also have a leaked copy of the brochure, which tells us in detail aout the Ciaz SHVS, to be launched on September 1.
SHVS stands for Smart Hybrid Vehicle System which converts the kinetic energy of the moving wheels into electricity for charging the car's larger capacity battery. There is also a start-stop feature that stops the engine when a car halts, and starts again when the clutch is released. This will help in improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, which means bettering the current 28kmpl fuel economy to around 30kmpl.
The Ciaz SHVS sedan will be available in Vdi, Vdi (O), Vdi+, Zdi & Zdi+ variants. The petrol variants will continue as with the current Ciaz, however, the conventional diesel variants will be completely replaced by the Ciaz hybrid. Vxi (O) and Vdi (O) variants have been newly added which boast of all the features from the base Vxi/Vdi variants respectively, but in addition, get ABS and a co-driver airbag apart from the driver side airbag.
There will be no cosmetic changes to the Ciaz Hybrid apart from the small SHVS badging at the rear. The 1.3-litre Multijet diesel mill from the current car will be paired to the SHVS system to assist the powerplant, which will send the power to the front wheels.
Though the SHVS system is being imported to India, the Ciaz SHVS is expected to be priced aggressively at a premium of just Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 over the current car.
