While Maruti Suzuki is planning for the distant future with the development of electric vehicles, for the near future the company will heavily invest on hybrid powertrains. The carmaker already has two strong hybrid models— Grand Vitara and Invicto— in its lineup. However, the hybrid technology used in these two models is supplied by Toyota.
Maruti is now hoping to bring the strong hybrid technology in the more mass-market vehicles. A test mule of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx was recently spotted testing in Gurugram, Haryana in a completely uncamouflaged avatar. The test mule was identical to the current Fronx on sale except for one small detail.
The latest spy shots reveal a new ‘Hybrid’ badging on the tailgate. This confirms that Maruti is working on a strong hybrid version of the subcompact crossover. In all likelihood, the Fronx Hybrid will utilise the new 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z-series engine which has been made compatible to incorporate a battery and a motor. This engine made its debut with the fourth-generation Swift and Dzire launched in May and November 2024, but without the hybrid technology.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Hybrid: How will it work?
The new hybrid powertrain with the Z12E engine will be different from what Maruti offers in Grand Vitara or Invicto. The upcoming setup in the Fronx will work as a range extender where the petrol power plant works as a generator and recharges the battery pack. Power to the wheels will be supplied by the electric motor and not the petrol engine.
There aren’t enough details about this powertrain yet but it is expected to offer impressive fuel efficiency along with a better driving experience unlike the current Swift that evidently lacks the punch. This strong hybrid technology will later be carried over to other models like Baleno, Dzire and Swift in the future. If we had to guess, this setup would return a fuel efficiency of around 30 kmpl when launched.
Currently, Maruti Suzuki offers two petrol engine options with the Fronx: a 1.2-litre K-series 4-cylinder naturally aspirated unit and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet turbocharged unit. The former produces 89 bhp and 113 Nm of peak torque whereas the latter 99 bhp and 148 Nm of peak torque.
Transmission options include a 5-speed manual as standard with the option of a 5-speed AMT with the NA petrol unit or a 6-speed torque converter automatic with the turbocharged mill. In its current form, the NA petrol motor returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 21.79 kmpl for the manual and 22.89 kmpl for the AMT version. There’s also a CNG version of Fronx available based on the 1.2-litre K-series unit which returns an impressive mileage of 28.51 km/kg.
Image Source: Team BHP
