SMART HYBRID - A BOON FOR URBAN DRIVING | ARENAWORLD

We live in a technology-driven world which is evolving every day. From using a smartwatch to driving a car, technology is making life easier and better. At Maruti Suzuki, we innovate with the same belief – improving mobility through technology.

Engineered keeping sustainability in mind, Smart Hybrid is a progressive step towards a greener future. At the same time, it has a significant role to play in the car’s driving performance and the fuel efficiency it delivers. Interesting, right? Let’s see how it all works.

What is Smart Hybrid Technology?

Smart Hybrid is an advanced automotive technology that was initially launched in 2015 in Ciaz, making it the first mild hybrid car in India by Maruti Suzuki. Since then, the Smart Hybrid technology has made its way into 6 car models within the Maruti Suzuki line-up – Baleno, Ciaz, Ertiga, S-Cross, Vitara Brezza and XL6.

Smart and Fuel-Efficient by Nature

The Smart Hybrid system has an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) along with a dual battery set-up including a lithium-Ion battery and a Lead-Acid battery. During braking and deceleration, the kinetic energy produced is converted into electrical energy and then stored into this dual battery setup.

Improved Fuel-Efficiency

This benefit is down to the Idle Stop Start function available in Maruti Suzuki Smart Hybrid cars. When the car is idling at standstill, the engine gets turned off as soon as you release the clutch. And, as soon as you depress it again, the engine restarts.

In automatic variants, this function works the same way with the brake pedal i.e. engine turns off when the brake pedal is released and starts again when it is pressed. In that sense, Vitara Brezza and S-Cross are great examples of Smart Hybrid automatic cars in Indiawhere fuel-efficiency figures are at par with manual transmission variants.

Enhanced Drivability

ISG has a motor function as well. When the car starts moving from a standstill and is picking up speed, ISG uses the Torque Assist function to supplement the engine power during this initial phase of acceleration. As a result, you get better pickup while reducing the load on the engine.

Owing to the benefits it offers, Smart Hybrid cars make a lot of sense if you are conscious about the environment and keeping your fuel expenses in check. In that sense, it is an automotive technology with practical, real-world utility.