Details of Maruti Suzuki's SHVS hybrid technology

India’s largest car maker by volume, Maruti Suzuki will launch the Ciaz Diesel Hybrid tomorrow. We take a look at the innovative technologies used in Maruti’s latest offering.

Firstly, the Ciaz SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) comes equipped with what Maruti calls as ISG (Integrated Starter Generator). It is effectively a start/stop system which comes into play with the press of a button. By cutting down the engine when the car comes to a halt and restarting it using a small motor when required, the ISG system offers marginal but valuable fuel efficiency gains.

The second prominent technology used is termed as Deceleration Energy Regenerating function. Whenever the car is decelerating, the system feeds the waste energy back into vehicle’s electrical system. Drivers are made aware of this regeneration of energy using an indicator on the dashboard.

And finally, the Engine Power Assist function forms another important aspect of the SHVS. What it does is that it provides the engine with additional power when required.

All these aforementioned technologies contribute to greater fuel economy, giving owners more bang for their buck. Ciaz is the first Suzuki car in India to get the hybrid treatment, with the updated Ertiga set to following in the footsteps of its sibling.

Government’s FAME scheme for hybrid and electric vehicles will help Maruti some way in reducing the price of the cars equipped with this technology.