Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG launched at Rs 8.14 lakh

Maruti Suzuki has launched the Dzire CNG with prices starting from Rs 8.14 lakh for the VXi variant, going up to Rs 8.82 lakh for the ZXi (ex-showroom, India). This is the first time the Dzire CNG has been made available for private customers; it has so far only been available to fleet operators in previous-gen Tour S guise. This takes Maruti’s count of CNG vehicles up to nine models.

The new Dzire CNG will also be offered under Maruti's subscription scheme, with monthly fees starting at Rs 16,999 (this includes vehicle registration, maintenance, insurance and road-side assistance).

• Maruti Dzire CNG available in VXi and ZXi variants
• Is priced Rs 95,000 higher than its petrol equivalent variant
• Claimed fuel efficiency is 31.12km/kg – more than rivals, Hyundai Aura and Tata Tigor

Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG: what's different? 

The Dzire CNG is powered by the same 1.2-litre K12M DualJet engine that powers the Dzire petrol. However, in CNG spec, this engine now produces 77hp and 98.5Nm of peak torque. That’s 13hp and 14.5Nm lesser than the Dzire petrol that produces 90hp and 113Nm. The Dzire CNG is offered only with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

While this 1.2-litre K12M engine is also offered on the new Baleno, Wagon R and the Swift, it has been meted out the CNG treatment for the first time here on the Dzire. Maruti claims a class-leading fuel efficiency figure of 31.12 km/kg with the Dzire CNG.

There are, however, no cosmetic changes to the Dzire CNG, and the equipment list also remains identical to the petrol equivalent variants. The Dzire CNG, however, gets dual interdependent ECUs, retuned suspension and an improved injection system for better air-fuel mixture in the engine. Safety, too, has been enhanced with new stainless steel pipes and joints to prevent leakage in the CNG structure and safety switches to cut off the engine while refuelling.

The Dzire CNG is available in six colour options - white, silver, grey, blue, brown and red.  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG: competition check

Maruti may be the largest seller of CNG cars in India, but the Dzire’s rivals – Tata Tigor and Hyundai Aura – have already been on sale with CNG powertrains. But while Maruti may be late to the party, the Dzire sure has class leading power and fuel efficiency figures.

The 77hp Dzire CNG is slightly more powerful than the 73hp Tigor CNG and 69hp Aura CNG. The Dzire's claimed fuel efficiency of 31.12km/kg is also more than the Aura’s claimed 28.4km/kg, or the Tigor’s claimed 26.49 km/kg.

That said, the Dzire CNG is also the most expensive in this class as the Aura CNG is priced at Rs 7.74 lakh, while the Tigor CNG is priced between Rs 7.69 lakh-8.29 lakh, both prices ex-showroom.

Maruti Suzuki CNG line-up: 2022 and beyond

With the Dzire getting the CNG treatment, the Swift is most likely to follow suit. The Dzire petrol was the first to get the 1.2-litre K12M engine, followed by the Swift, and a similar approach can be expected to follow this time around as well.

Apart from the Swift, the Vitara Brezza is the only other Arena offering that comes as petrol-only model. Maruti had previously said CNG would be offered on all Arena models, and the Vitara Brezza too will get the option of CNG with its upcoming next-gen SUV. In fact, CNG could also be making its way to some Nexa cars, such as the Baleno and Ciaz.

Going ahead, Maruti will also be launching the refreshed Ertiga and XL6 MPVs, an all-new Brezza compact SUV, a Creta-rivalling SUV with Toyota, and also an all-new Alto hatchback, all expected within this year. The Jimny could also make its way into Maruti Suzuki showrooms sometime next year.