Upcoming Hybrid Cars In India – Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Honda

The rising fuel prices have prompted automakers to work on alternate fuel options for the Indian market. Most of the brands are now planning to introduce CNG and electric cars in our market. Moreover, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda are also planning to introduce fuel efficient hybrid cars in the Indian market.

Hybrid cars come with an internal combustion engine paired to an electric motor, which sends power to the wheels. The hybrid cars can purely run on EV mode on lower speeds. Moreover, these vehicles are highly powerful and comes with regenerative braking system.

Honda City Hybrid

Japanese automaker, Honda will launch the new City hybrid sedan in the Indian market in the next few days. The sedan will be offered in two trim levels – V and ZX. The top-spec model will come with Honda Sensing safety technology, which is ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). It will get the same powertrain as the Thai-spec model.

It comes with a 109PS electric motor paired to a 98PS, 1.5-litre petrol engine. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a single, fixed-gear ratio. It will come with 3 driving modes – a pure electric mode, petrol-only mode and hybrid mode. The electric generator and motor are combined together and attached to the end of the engine. The engine turns the generator, and also powers the electric motor, which in turn spins the wheels and sends electricity to the lithium ion battery in the boot. The new Honda City hybrid is expected to offer an ARAI certified fuel economy over 27kmpl, closer to 30kmpl. This makes it the most fuel efficient model in the country.

Maruti YFG/Toyota D22

Maruti Suzuki and Toyota JV is working on an all-new mid-sized SUV, which will have two versions – one for Maruti and other for Toyota. The new model will be based on Toyota’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Generation Architecture), which also underpins the Toyota Raize and the Avanza. The new model will be launched during festive season, before Diwali. It will be offered with Toyota’s hybrid technology, which has an electric motor with the internal combustion engine. The SUV will also come with a petrol engine, which could either be a 1.5L NA petrol or a 1.4L turbocharged petrol.

The new model will share the design and interior with the Corolla Cross, which is on sale in select international markets. It comes with a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, automatic AC, connected car tech, powered driver’s seat and powered ORVMs. It is also likely to come with ADAS features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring & a collision warning system.

Toyota 560B MPV

Toyota is also working on an all-new C-segment MPV, codenamed 560B. The new model will be based on Toyota’s DNGA platform that also underpins the new Avanza MPV. The new model will share similarities with the Avanza; however, it will receive India-specific changes. The new model is likely to be positioned against the likes of the Kia Carens and the Suzuki XL6. The new model will also be equipped with a hybrid powertrain, which is likely to be the same unit that powers the upcoming Maruti YFG/Toyota D22 mid-sized SUV.

Maruti YTB Coupe SUV

Maruti Suzuki is also developing a new coupe SUV, codenamed YTB for the Indian market. The new model is likely to be based on Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform that underpins the Baleno, Ertiga and the Ciaz. It is expected that the new model will be a more premium alternative to the Vitara Brezza. It could be the production version of the Futuro-e Concept, which was unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. It will be sold through NEXA premium dealerships. It is likely to be powered by a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine with a stronger hybrid with a greater degree of electrification. This will help in achieving higher fuel efficiency.