2018 Maruti Ciaz Facelift To Miss 1.5-litre Diesel Engine; Launch On 6 August

Agencies Updated at: 16 Jul 2018 09:30 PM (IST)

The midsize sedan will carry forward the existing Fiat-borrowed 1.3-litre diesel motor featuring SHVS mild-hybrid tech

The 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift will not be launched with the in-house developed 1.5-litre diesel engine which it was expected to debut in India. Instead, it will carry forward the existing 1.3-litre diesel engine. But, the good news is that it will get a brand new 1.5-litre K15B petrol motor in place of the existing 1.4-litre engine. The facelift of the Maruti Suzuki sedan will be launched in India on 6 August 2018.

Earlier, the 2018 Ciaz facelift was expected to debut the yet-to-be-announced 1.5-litre diesel engine in India. But now, it seems that the upcoming 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga will be the first model to debut this engine in India. The second-gen MPV is slated to be launched just ahead of the festive season, by September 2018.

Looking at the existing crop of 1.5-litre diesel engines, Maruti's expected 1.5-litre diesel should produce around 100PS of power and over 200Nm of torque. Hence, the expected 1.5-litre diesel motor would’ve surely made the Ciaz’ package a lot better than it currently is. That said, the existing 1.3-litre will produce 90PS and 200Nm, same as before. And thanks to the SHVS, the 2018 Ciaz diesel should technically be as fuel efficient as before (28.09kmpl).

The most interesting update with the facelift, however, will be the addition of a new 1.5-litre petrol engine. While the current 1.4-litre motor produces 92PS and 130Nm, the bigger engine will churn 13PS and 8Nm more. Importantly, this petrol engine will feature ‘SHVS’ mild-hybrid tech too, making the 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift the first petrol car from the Japanese automaker to boast this in India.

With this midlife refresh, the Ciaz would rather feature subtle aesthetic changes instead of radical ones. Evident from the spy shots are a new set of bumpers, LED headlamps and tail lamps along with a new set of alloy wheels.

The prices of the 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ciaz are likely to fall in the similar ballpark as the current version (Rs 7.83 lakh - Rs 11.51 lakh). Once launched, it will revive its rivalry with the Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and the Toyota Yaris.