He added: "The new engine series is also an important step towards attaining the target sales of a million units in the domestic market by 2010-11. The operational capacities of our plants have reached the million mark."
 
The KB series engine will be mounted on the forthcoming model, A Star, from Maruti Suzuki. The 998-cc engine has been carefully designed to be environment friendly and fuel efficient with its light weight construction and innovative technologies to improve combustion and minimise friction. The Smart Distributor Less Ignition (SDLI) system with dedicated plug top coils, High pressure semi-return fuel system and advanced injectors for superior atomization provide uniform and optimized combustion for better performance.

After A Star the all new, light-weight, engine series will be progressively introduced on other models as well over a period of next 3-5 years. The new engine will also power the export version of the A Star. The company plans to commence exports of this model in early 2009.

The KB-series engine, while fully complying with the prevalent BS III norms, is ready to meet the future emission norms in the country. The Engine meets the Euro V norms for the export model of A Star.

The KB engine plant has an installed annual capacity of 240,000 engines.

The new engine will be manufactured in the state-of the-art, fully integrated manufacturing facility inside the Gurgaon Plant. Spread over an area of 20,300 m2, the new engine plant is part of the Rs 9,000 Crore investment plan drawn by Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor Corporation announced earlier.

The in-line plant layout consisting of Casting, Machining and Assembly processes has high level of automation, effective material handling and inventory reduction techniques in place, aimed for high operational efficiency. It employs global manufacturing best practices like cold testing, 100% on line automated checks to ensure global quality.

The company has committed to set up an R&D centre and testing ground at par with Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan as per schedule. Besides building capability in designing cars, Maruti Suzuki is also focussing on enhancing R & D in engine technology. Maruti Engineers worked as part of the Suzuki Engine Design team for the design, calibration & testing of the Engine at India & Japan. This is a step forward in building the Engine development capability