To pick up sales of its S Cross model, Maruti Suzuki is planning to being out a petrol variant. The model has not performed as well as expected in spite of reducing the car’s prices by about Rs. 2.05 lakh. The model has only a diesel variant as of now.
Sales picked up a little after the price slash. But, the top end variant which has a 1.6 litre DDiS 320 diesel engine has not sold well. The price slash has benefited the 1.3 litre DDiS 200 variant.
According to reports, Maruti Suzuki will now roll out a petrol variant with the 1.5 litre, M15, 1490 cc, 4-cylinder engine that produces 100 hp at 5900 rpm and a torque of 133 Nm at 4100 rpm. This engine might also replace the 1.4 litre K14 engine of the Maruti Ciaz. The S-cross with the M15, 1.5 litre petrol engine will be mated to the usual standard 5-speed manual transmission. However, an optional 4-speed automatic transmission may also be on the cards, which is not confirmed yet by Maruti.
The nAtional Green Tribunal, or the NGT, has been cracking down on diesel engines in many States. This is another reason for the change.