Making 35kpl a reality - Maruti's plans to go big with hybrids | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

At a time when rivals are betting entirely on EVs, Maruti Suzuki has chalked out plans to go big with hybrids. Hormazd Sorabjee and Sergius Barretto discuss the rationale and the story behind the news.

Producer: Nikhil Bhatia
Editor: Siddhesh Bhogle
Archives: Shrey Vaid, Lincon Rodrigues, Ganesh Jadhav
Graphics: Rohit Kesarkar, Yuvraj Dhurmekar

0:00 - Introduction
1:44 - The different type of hybrids
4:00 - Will the EV craze sustain?
7:51 - Why Maruti can make hybrids a success
9:20 - Maruti hybrids coming soon
10:28 - What's stopping Toyota and Honda
15:36 - Going hybrid in an EV world

Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India
Listen Now:

Autocar India is your one-stop source for test drive reviews & comparison tests of every new car and motorcycle launched in India. We also offer a great mix of other automotive content, including weekly news, motor show reports, travelogues and other special features.

#autocarindia #deepdrive #marutisuzuki #hybridcars #podcast #deepdrivepodcast

[IndianOverlander]

Have been using Hybrids since 2015. My Camry regularly returned 17 to 19 kmpl and now my Hycross returns about 19 to 21 kmpl regularly. No range anxiety. No stress about charging. Smooth, quiet, efficient petrol engine that isnt expensive to maintain either.
The Camry came with a 3 year warranty for the battery but the Hycross comes with a 8 year warranty which greatly boosts confidence in the product.

[sayakmukherjee]

Just to point out a small but a very important nuance of this podcast - the fact that Autocar India has been in the business of auto-journalism for more than two decades now shows their prowess in producing motivated but crisp content. Not to compare but MotorInc by two of my favorite auto journos, too have a podcast, although informative, I find their videos too long and a bit scattered in their ideas and thoughts. Hormazd Sorabjee and the team have done an excellent job in putting this new lineup of episodes together. I would love Autocar India to also grow out to make more long-term vehicle reviews and take genuine ownership review videos as well. Good job, already interested in watching more content on Suzuki's diesel mishandling, Nissan's future in India, Honda's weird strategy in India, Toyota and its tryst with the budget car market, and possible Mitsubishi and Ford re-enterance in India, etc

[surajnayak]

Next topic can be why Suzuki sells unsafe cars in India when they are the largest manufacturer in India. Don’t they feel socially responsible? Why can’t they just make stable chassis and give 6 airbags, esc, traction control, etc as standard across all their cars.. The entire Indian car market will become superior in terms of safety…Why does Maruti need Government to step in everytime and force a change

[rcpratim]

Currently hybrid attract 40% gst making it highly overpriced. Untill and unless taxes doesn't come down it doesn't make sense to pay that 3/4 lakh extra for hynrid.

[shankarbalan]

This 35 and 40 kmpl from Hybrids is amazing. Remember just 30 years ago, the 100 cc motorbikes used to give us such mileage. It is really something if a car like a Grand Vitara can give that kind of mileage!

[VijaygKamat]

I would like to bring some points to the notice.

1) Suzuki launched hybrids in 2011 or 2012 in Japan. This is 2024 here in India and on planet earth.

2) R C Bhargava or Maruti Suzuki once said Hybrids are unaffordable to Indians.
If those vehicles good average per litre, persons with heavy usage would have brought them and over the years technology could have got affordable. Why are iPhones sold in India ?

3) Now that EV's are taking over they are bringing an old technology to us.

4) I have been hearing and reading the news Maruti is going to Swift and Dzire hybrids. This has been couple of years.

5) MoRTH ministry said Inida will have double the number of vehicles in another 10-15 years, Why are keijidosha (Light Cars) with 660cc engines (hybrids as well) are not being launched here in India. Only big SUV's. Sedans are vanishing. We have to buy what the manufacturer is offering.

Why the hurry now ? only five to six hybrids are available now.

[adityaasawale]

Series hybrid engine does not even required 3 cylinders. 2 cylinders are enough for engine balancing and efficiency point of view. It also decreases engine size and capacity.

[bharadwajb]

Hybrids will be better option anyday.. When compared to Normal Petrol or Diesel engines.. In terms of Mileage and the no of carbon foot print that is reduced in terms of pollution.... But for the Enthusiastic driving this will not be option though.. And the battery replacement of the Hybrid is also very cost efficient when compared to Pure EV... Hardly between 1-1.5Lakhs for the battery replacement for hybrid...

[lithoshealthcare]

I'm a diesel fan for power and mileage but as I live in the NCR, I chose strong Hybrid Vitara last year. It is a good replacement for diesel in efficiency and almost at par in power (except the diesel grunt).
I think Maruti is playing greatly in this transition.

[honey]

I don't know why hybrid didn't adopted by Indian industry earlier. It's much older and proven tech. Don't know why Indian government is chasing after EV tech.

[aditgupta]

Finally, the beginning of Podcast shows from Autocar!

[maneeshs]

Nice Podcast, When is Toyota going to launch Toyota Prius Prime in India ?

[gauravsharma]

In terms of size of Suzuki as a brand they can invest in hybrid for now to cater the EV transition and can also shift their investments towards the complete EV platform as they have Volume to serve but comparatively smaller brands can't do the same.

[MrKshitij]

Very nice session. I guess this was the first one. Loved every second of it. Thanks Hormazd, Sergius and ACI team.

I firmly believe in hybrids. More so after knowing about the environmental impact from the Toyota 1:6:90 study.

[anupvadnere]

Nice topic, hybrid should be consider main stream auto power and need plug in hybrid tech, hope diesel hybrid also soon available

[Sunny-xlu]

Maruti should use plastic chassis instead of steel. Also they can use bicycle tyres. All this will reduce the cost more and give 40kmpl

[mandar.deodhar]

Why Plug-in hybrid is not promoted? It has battery which can be charged and driven purely on battery without using fuel at all. Good for city daily commute. And, it has IC engine to remove range anxity.

[anandthepilot]

It will be great if any manufacturer comes with PHEV as well. Would be great for city run arounds for sure.

[manjunathmk]

Toyota and Suzuki alliance will bring lots of New Technology in Great going ❤❤

[rano.rajawat]

Sir this type of system used by Indian railway in their diesel locomotive