Unveilings, showcases, and launches get everybody excited including us but discontinuation of any model saddens us. Maruti Suzuki unveiled and showcased a range of models at the Auto Expo 2020 with launches planned in the first quarter of the year but the biggest story right now is the discontinuation of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz diesel. This was expected considering the April 2020 BSVI deadline set by the Supreme Court of India. The reason is that the Maruti doesn’t plan to have a diesel variant in the initial phase of BSVI implementation. Dealers have stopped taking bookings for the same plus removed from the Maruti website.
Initially, Maruti Ciaz came with 2 engine offering a Fiat-sourced 90 bhp, 1.3-litre Multi-jet unit that provided a mild-hybrid system coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox, and an in-house developed 95 bhp, 1.5-litre unit connected to a 6-speed manual transmission. The former though has been removed from the line due to its ageing engine technology as well as BSVI norms that come into effect by 1st April. We expect that Maruti Suzuki might bring the BSVI compliant version of the 1.5-litre DDiS engine later as and when the demand arises.
As of now, the Ciaz sedan will be offered to the users in the form of a 105 bhp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology that can be observed in Ertiga, the XL6 and latest Vitara Brezza facelift unveiled at Auto Expo 2020, and S-cross. The engine comes with both a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed torque converter. We recently saw the launch of the stylish Ciaz S with expectations of the launch of Vitara Breeza facelift in March.