Maruti Suzuki Ertiga BS-VI Diesel Spied Testing Ahead Debut At 2020 Auto Expo: Spy Pics & Details

The spy pics from Gaadiwaadi, revealing a heavily camouflaged mule testing with the company's DDiS diesel engine, with a note stuck on the rear windscreen stating "Testing For R&D Purpose" and "BS6". The spy pic also reveal, the current-gen model is being used for testing the upcoming powertrain option.

Ahead of this, we had reported about the company's plan to introduce a BS-VI compliant diesel engine to their line-up. We expect Maruti to revive the Fiat sourced 1.6-litre diesel engine to make it BS-VI complaint. The same engine was featured on the S-Cross in BS-IV form, before it was discontinued by the company, due to low demand in 2017.

Alongside, the company is also testing the S-Cross hatchback to achieve BS-VI compliance. The model was spotted testing earlier with the BS-VI emission test equipment fitted to the exhaust, and 1.6 badging on the boot lid, indicating the revival of 1.6-litre diesel engine to make it BS-VI complaint.

The current-gen model of the Ertiga MPV is offered with a 1.5-litre diesel engine is churning out 94bhp and 225Nm of torque and comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission unit. However, we expect the company to replace the 1.5-litre diesel engine, with the new 1.6-litre diesel engine.

The 1.6-litre engine, in its BS-IV avatar, churned out 118bhp and 320Nm of torque. We expect the power figures of upcoming 1.6-litre diesel engine to remain the same after becoming BS-VI compliant.

Maruti Suzuki earlier stated, if the demand for diesel engine continues after the introduction of BS-VI emission norms in the country, they would look to make the 1.5-litre diesel engine BS-VI compliant.

However, the company seems to be favouring the 1.6-litre engine to achieve BS-VI complaint, and much earlier than the above-mentioned timeline as well. We expect this move is due to the larger capacity engine, which could be ideal for a wide variety of applications, including using it on SUVs and MPVs from the company's line-up.

The company started the BS-VI shift with the introduction of petrol engines across its range of models back in April this year. The first model to receive a BS-VI compliant engine from the company, was the Baleno hatchback. The company currently has a large line-up of BS-VI compliant cars in their line-up — here is a list of all the BS-VI cars in India.

Thoughts About The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga BS-VI Diesel Spied Testing

Well, the news of Maruti Suzuki developing a BS-VI diesel engine is confirmed. However, we strongly believe, the BS-VI diesel unit to be the 1.6-litre Fiat sourced diesel unit, and not the current 1.5-litre homegrown diesel powertrain. We can be rest assured that Maruti will cater to buyers looking for diesel engine options after the implementation of BS-VI emission norms on April 1, 2020.