Maruti Vitara Brezza, S-Cross Petrol To Debut At 2020 Auto Expo

• Vitara Brezza might get 1.2-litre engine from the Baleno.
• S-Cross to get the Ciaz’s 1.5-litre Smart Hybrid engine.
• Petrol-powered variants should be priced lower than diesel variants.

Ever since Maruti announced that it will discontinue diesel engines starting April 2020, it became quite clear that the Vitara Brezza and the S-Cross, which are currently diesel-only models, would receive a petrol engine soon. Now, we have information that the largest carmaker in the country will showcase the petrol variant of Brezza and the S-Cross at the 2020 Auto Expo. Since Maruti will stop selling diesel cars from April 2020 onwards, a reveal in February 2020 will give a lot of time for buyers interested in the diesel variant to get their hands on one. Also, this will give Maruti ample time to phase out the diesel-powered variants of its popular models.

The Brezza’s 1.3-litre diesel engine is likely to be replaced with the recently introduced 1.2-litre DualJet Smart Hybrid engine or the 1.2-litre K-series VVT petrol from the Baleno, which are both BSVI-compliant. The Brezza currently produces 90PS of power and 200Nm of peak torque. The Baleno’s 1.2-litre DualJet makes 90PS of power but only 113Nm of torque. The older K-series VVT petrol motor, on the other hand, puts out 83PS of power, which is just 7PS down from the Brezza, and the same 113Nm of torque as the new DualJet motor. Claimed efficiency figures for the Baleno stand at 21.01kmpl and 23.87kmpl for the K-series and DualJet Smart Hybrid, respectively.

With the new petrol engine, the Brezza could cost up to Rs 30,000 less in the case of the DualJet motor and by up to Rs 90,000 if Maruti opts for the1.2-litre K-series motor. The price drop should be enough to keep it attractive and relevant in the segment, especially when the prices of its diesel-powered competitors are expected to go up significantly post April 2020.

The S-Cross, however, is not a sub-4 metre car and does not require a petrol engine that is smaller than 1200cc to qualify as a small car. Hence, we believe the 1.3-litre DDiS 200 Smart Hybrid diesel unit will be replaced by the 1.5-litre K15 Smart Hybrid petrol motor that powers the Ciaz and the new Ertiga. This engine makes 105PS of power and 138Nm of torque in the Ciaz. It is likely to offer similar performance in the S-Cross as well. As a result, the S-Cross too could witness a significant drop in prices.

While the new petrol engines in the two cars will not be as efficient as the current diesel engines, Maruti can make up for it by offering the Brezza and the S-Cross at relatively more affordable price points than the current models. However, it remains to be seen how much of a price cut Maruti is willing to give these two popular models.