Manual Brezza Goes Hybrid: Smart Eco Move!

Updated: Sunday, January 21, 2024, 18:12 [IST]

Maruti Suzuki's Brezza, an image crafted by Krishan Das, is riding a new wave of excitement as it reintroduces the mild hybrid engine in select manual variants. This strategic move has enhanced fuel efficiency by an impressive 2.51 km/l.

As per the latest figures, with nearly 13,000 units sold in December 2023, the Brezza SUV has emerged as the brand's top-selling SUV/Crossover, signifying its growing popularity among Indian consumers.

In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, Maruti Suzuki headlines back in July 2023 by streamlining the features and kit of Brezza. The company's decision to remove the ESP and HSA from NG variants was noteworthy, but it was the omission of the 48V mild hybrid setup that truly caught the industry's attention.

Fast forward to January 2024, and Maruti has decided to revive this eco-friendly technology, albeit with a twist. Instead of standardizing it across all trims, the 48V self-charging mild hybrid setup is now a premium feature available only with the higher-end ZXi and ZXi+ manual trims.

The Brezza's 1.5L K15C 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine is now paired with the mild hybrid technology in both the manual and automatic variants. While the automatic models have consistently featured this setup, it's a significant enhancement for the manual ZXi and ZXi+ trims.

Technological Edge with Mild Hybrid Engine

The reintroduced 48V self-charging system employs an integrated starter generator motor that subtly assists the engine by filling torque gaps throughout the rev range. This innovative motor harnesses a small battery to capture and repurpose kinetic energy as electrical energy through energy recuperation.

Boosting Mileage for the Eco-conscious Driver

The manual variants of the Brezza without the hybrid technology boast a respectable fuel efficiency of 17.38 km/l. However, with the inclusion of the mild hybrid system in the ZXi and ZXi+ trims, the fuel efficiency soars to an impressive 19.89 km/l.

On the other hand, the automatic variants maintain their steady efficiency at 19.8 km/l, continuing to offer a balance of performance and fuel conservation.

As for the rest of the vehicle's features and attributes, there have been no additional changes. The reliable 1.5-litre engine still delivers a peak power of 101.5bhp and a peak torque of 136.8Nm, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

With pricing starting from Rs. 8.29 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base LXi MT and going up to Rs. 13.98 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-spec ZXi+ AT, the Brezza stands its ground against formidable rivals such as the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and Mahindra XUV300.

Thoughts About Reintroducing Mild Hybrid Engine In The Brezza SUV

This move is likely to strengthen the brand's foothold in the SUV segment, offering Indian consumers a blend of technology, efficiency, and value that is hard to overlook.