Maruti Swift CNG: Dealers begin taking unofficial bookings as launch nears

Maruti Suzuki seems all set to launch the CNG version of the popular Swift hatchback. According to MotorOctane, Maruti Suzuki’s dealers have begun taking unofficial bookings for the Swift CNG, and the booking amount is pegged at Rs. 11,000. The launch seems just around the corner. The Maruti Swift CNG will share its mechanicals with the Dzire compact sedan. The car will use a 1.2 liter-4 cylinder K-Series petrol engine that will be tweaked suitably to run on CNG.

Maruti already offers the CNG option with this engine on the Dzire, and a similar state of tune is likely on the Swift CNG. On CNG, the 1.2 liter K-Series engine is likely to output about 76 Bhp of peak power and 98 Nm of peak torque. Expect a CNG mileage of about 30-32 Kms/Kg.  While running on petrol, the same engine makes 82 Bhp-113 Nm. A five speed manual gearbox will be standard on the Swift CNG.

The CNG tank is expected to be neatly integrated into the boot of the Swift CNG, leading to loss in boot space. That’s a compromise that CNG car owners will have to live with if they want dual-fuel functionality. Dual fuel functionality refers to a CNG powered car being able to run on petrol at the flick of a switch on the dashboard, and Maruti Suzuki has been equipping all its CNG powered cars with this option.

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This will make the Maruti Swift CNG quite versatile, for owners can opt for drive the hatchback on CNG power while driving in the city. On highway runs, they can shift to petrol power. The additional power that the engine produces while running on petrol will also make overtaking easier. It also gives the car sufficient range as CNG fueling stations are not evenly spread across the country.

Maruti Suzuki discontinued diesel engines from all its cars with the advent of Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms. Ever since, the automaker has betting big on CNG power. CNG is not only a cleaner burning fuel than both petrol and diesel but is also cheaper than petrol. The running cost of a CNG powered car is similar to that of a diesel engined car, and this is another big reason why Maruti Suzuki is opting for CNG on many of its cars.

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What are the advantages of buying a car with a factory fitted with a CNG kit?

1. You get to keep the stock factory warranty.
2. The car is designed to work with a CNG kit, and this includes strengthening suspension and engine components.
3. Factory fitted CNG kits are very safe.