Maruti Suzuki launches CNG versions of Alto, Eeco, Estilo, WagonR and SX4

Like we reported last week, India’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki today launched five cars from its arsenal that can run on both petrol and CNG. The prices of the CNG variants range from Rs 3.23 lakhs to Rs 7.47 lakhs Ex-Delhi. Three hatchbacks Alto, Estilo, WagonR, MPV Eeco and sedan SX4 are the five models that now come with CNG tech. Maruti is resorting to desperate measures in order to maintain its superiority over the Indian automobile industry. Maruti’s share is falling as new cars from other manufacturers are taking a piece of the pie. To regain sales, Maruti has launched five CNG powered cars and the A-star automatic is just around the corner.

The Ex-showroom Delhi price (Rs Lakh) of Maruti Suzuki CNG vehicles are

Alto Lxi – Rs 3.23 lakhs

Eeco 5-seater Ac – Rs 3.64 lakhs

Estilo Lxi – Rs 4.05 lakhs

WagonR Lxi – Rs 4.11 lakhs

SX4 Vxi – Rs 7.47 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki A-Star Automatic Launch On August 15 Aug 2010

Maruti Suzuki to launch A-star Automatic Jul 2010

Suzuki recalls 10000 Automatic versions of Altos in Europe May 2010

Maruti Suzuki Eeco (facelifted Versa) Pictures and specifications Dec 2009

Hit the jump for more information and press release.

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) managing director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi told

“The development is significant on multiple counts. This is the first instance when a car manufacturer has developed and launched factory-fitted, technologically superior CNG engines in India,”.“The company’s big ticket entry into the CNG fuel segment augurs well for the environment,”.

With the launch of these five cars, Maruti Suzuki expect to boost their sales and regain 50% market share in the months to come. The CNG vehicles were unveiled by Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) Environment and Forests in the presence of senior government dignitaries and Maruti Suzuki management team. The factory fitted CNG system enjoys several benefits as it comes with full company provided extended warranty. Over all, 2700 service stations across the country will gear up to support these CNG vehicles.

Compared to retro-fitted CNG systems which use traditional technology, Maruti Suzuki’s system incorporates two separate ECUs. The CNG system gets a dedicated ECU that results in perfectly metered amount of CNG injected for combustion. As a result, the power loss associated when shifting to CNG is minimal as compared to retro-fitted systems. Fuel efficiency is higher as well. Maruti Suzuki would like to it The i-GPI or Intelligent Gas Port Injection bi-fuel technology.

Launching CNG options of its cars is a good move by Maruti. It will help consolidate sales in areas where CNG is available and with the Commonwealth games fast approaching, it is only a matter of time before CNG cars sales rise.

Press Release

Maruti Suzuki introduces next generation CNG technology

New Delhi, August 13, 2010

Launches five factory-fitted CNG models across segments

Advantage Customer:

Contemporary i-GPI technology

Vehicle body design for CNG system

Performance and Driveability at par with gasoline powered engine

Safety reinforced: High Quality Components, Integrated wiring harness, CNG system leak-proofing, toughened suspension

High fuel efficiency

Dual ECU system for enhanced performance

Lower running costs by 60 percent

Extensive performance testing

Peace of Mind: Full warranty coverage, Service support across the country

No compromise on engine life

The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki today unveiled its flagship CNG engine technology, ‘intelligent-Gas Port Injection’ or i-GPI on five popular models. The CNG vehicles were unveiled by Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) Environment and Forests in the presence of senior government dignitaries and Maruti Suzuki management team. The models include SX4, Eeco, WagonR, Estilo and Alto and are being launched in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Gujrat. With this initiative, the CNG footprint of the company spreads across entry level cars, compact cars, sedans and MPV segments.

On the occasion, Maruti Suzuki India Chairman RC Bhargava said, We are happy to bring contemporary CNG technology to the Indian customer. We are confident customers would value our i-GPI technology that is safe, reliable, clean, responsive and environment friendly. Adapting the CNG technology in our vehicles is another step to keep low cost of ownership for our customers.

Shinzo Nakanishi Managing Director & CEO Maruti Suzuki India said, ¿The development is significant on multiple counts. This is the first instance when a car manufacturer has developed and launched factory-fitted technologically superior CNG engines in India. Compressed Natural Gas is environment friendly and also reduce country’s dependence on imported fuels. Maruti Suzuki’s big ticket entry into CNG fuel segment augurs well for the environment.

Peppy and responsive ‘intelligent-GPI technology”’

The i-GPI or Intelligent Gas Port Injection bi-fuel technology offers an intelligent ride. Intelligent as it ensures more power vis-à-vis retro-fitted CNG vehicles and offers a peppier ride experience at par with that of a petrol-fuelled engine, while achieving high fuel efficiency at the same time. The factory fitted CNG vehicles score very high on safety and reliability vis-à-vis the aftermarket retro-fitted options. Maruti Suzuki CNG vehicles pass through all the quality checks, processes and systems similar to a regular car manufactured at Maruti Suzuki plants.

Service support across the country

As the CNG technology is factory fitted the customers will enjoy the full warranty benefits including extended warranty. To top it all, the CNG vehicles from Maruti Suzuki will enjoy the nationwide back up of over 2700 Maruti Service Stations.

The simultaneous launch of five CNG vehicles with the same contemporary technology demonstrates the company’s intent and future readiness to produce environmentally friendly vehicles in large numbers.

Steps in Environment care

Maruti Suzuki has the distinction of introducing a host of environment friendly programmes ahead of government regulations and the industry. This includes implementing End of Life Vehicle (ELV) programme ¿ where harmful elements like Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Mercury are not used in making vehicles. Maruti Suzuki produced the first BS-IV and E-10 compliant engines much ahead of regulations coming to force in the country. Developing a factory-fitted CNG engine is another effort by the Company to contribute to a clean environment.

Technology up

The factory fitted CNG vehicles use advanced Intelligent Gas Port Injection technology. Maruti Suzuki R&D team has integrated this technology with the Company’s range of engines and products to bring the benefits to the consumers.
In a leap over alternative aftermarket options, the i-GPI technology is a Dual ECU (Engine Control Unit) technology. This highly reliable system delivers accurate amounts of gas to the engine thus ensuring improved and consistent performance under various driving conditions.

The i-GPI technology uses separate injectors for each cylinder. Based on inputs from the ECU, metered CNG quantity is injected to the engine through gas ports. The quantity of CNG required for different driving conditions is controlled by the dedicated ECU, leading to more efficient fuel usage. Similar to the usual pre-launch evaluation, each of the cars with i-GPI CNG technology has been extensively tested for around 2 lakh kilometers in varied terrains. In addition, over 3,000 hours of bench tests have validated the design and performance to bring unmatchable combination of performance and reliability for the customers.

While working on the new CNG technology, Maruti Suzuki engineers focused on critical aspects of safety, reliability and performance.

CNG for the future

Government of India has committed to developing the infrastructure and network of the CNG stations across the country. This is in line with government’s aim to reduce the dependence on import of fossil fuels. With the discovery of large gas reserves in the country the network of CNG supplies is set to expand rapidly in near future. Maruti Suzuki’s launch of CNG technology vehicles will help create the eco system for use of a clean and cost effective fuel in India.