The facelifted Ciaz Maruti is readying for its launch this year will not come with a diesel variant, according to RS Kalsi, senior executive director of marketing & sales, speaking to CarDekho.
It is not a surprising move given that demand for diesel-powered sedans in the C-Segment have fallen in favour of petrol power. In addition, the government rolled back the tax incentives for mild-hybrid vehicles with the introduction of GST, which was a blow to the Ciaz diesel SHVS variant. The report states that the Ciaz once enjoyed a 60:40 petrol: diesel sales ratio, but it dropped to 80:20 last year, and slipping further. The diesel variant will not be discontinued altogether, but there's currently no clue when it will arrive. Reports continue speculating on the new royalty-free, BS6-ready 1.5L diesel engine that Maruti Suzuki is developing in-house as the next-gen engine, but there is no sign of it yet as MSIL continues testing and fine-tuning it.
The variant that will launch first packs an all-new K15B VVT 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine instead of the smaller 1.4-liter unit. This is to better compete with rivals that come with bigger petrol engines producing 100+ hp. The new 1.5 unit is expected to produce 104.7 PS and 138 Nm. As a segment first, Maruti will equip the Ciaz petrol with smart-hybrid SHVS technology, so expect fuel efficiency to be the best-in-class. Maruti has developed a 6-speed manual gearbox, but it seems as if the 5-speed manual option from the outgoing 1.4 petrol variant is staying.
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Maruti has released a teaser revealing some of the new details in store for the facelift. The new Ciaz will get redesigned LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, a new grille with chrome elements, new alloy wheel designs and facelifted front and rear bumpers. Inside, expect a lighter shade of faux-wood and a new interior shade, and new instrument cluster with a colour MID.
[Source: CarDekho]
