"So what does a mild hybrid mean?" This was the first question that I asked myself as I saw the ad on tv regarding the new Maruti-Suzuki Ciaz. So the first thing I found was that it wasn't like the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Cars like Camry are what are known as parallel hybrid vehicles. However, Ciaz is only a mild hybrid.
The difference lies in the fact that parallel hybrid vehicles are those that use both electric and internal combustion engine to power its wheels. The electric motor gets its energy from the battery, while the engine gets energy from the fuel. Now, the reason it is called a hybrid is that the car uses both electric and combustion energy to move the car and while powering the wheels the engine charges the battery. So, the car saves and regenerates the energy while you drive. Furthermore, the battery is also charged when we apply the brakes: this is known as brake energy regeneration.
On the other hand Ciaz is equipped with Suzuki's Smart Hybrid Technology (SHVS), which includes additional features like power assist, brake energy regeneration, idle engine start stop, and gear-shift indicator.
1) Power assist: The Ciaz has an extra battery, which helps in storing extra energy, ultimately translating into increased engine efficiency and unnecessary loss of fuel.
2) Brake energy regeneration: As explained before, this helps in recovering some of he kinetic energy lost when the brakes are applied. The Ciaz gets a unit called the Integrated Starter Generator(ISG), that helps in converting energy from braking of the car and storing it in the battery. This stored energy is then used to power the ISG, which as the company highlights, assists the engine's start-stop function and during acceleration.
3) Idle engine start-stop: This feature actually, is an excellent one for countries where heavy traffic and congestion exists. When the car comes to a standstill, you have to shift in neutral gear and take the foot off the clutch. This turns off the engine automatically. As soon as the clutch is presses again, the car starts, saving time and fuel.
4) Gear-shift indicator: The gear-shift indicator prompts the driver the best time to change the gear for best fuel efficiency.
Thus the SHVS technology in the Ciaz make it quite cheap to run in the Asian countries. Besides the company claims a mileage of 28.09 kmpl, though as experience suggests, will be lower than the proposed number.
Overall, in my opinion, this car will be a game changer for Maruti-Suzuki as this is one of those cars which will give tough competition to other cars in its range. The best part is that like the Indian government, if other governments also provide a tax cut, then it will definitely be at par with cars like Honda City which dominates the cars in its range, including Ciaz. I feel good days are in store for this car, and it should nurture in the current scenario.
The difference lies in the fact that parallel hybrid vehicles are those that use both electric and internal combustion engine to power its wheels. The electric motor gets its energy from the battery, while the engine gets energy from the fuel. Now, the reason it is called a hybrid is that the car uses both electric and combustion energy to move the car and while powering the wheels the engine charges the battery. So, the car saves and regenerates the energy while you drive. Furthermore, the battery is also charged when we apply the brakes: this is known as brake energy regeneration.
On the other hand Ciaz is equipped with Suzuki's Smart Hybrid Technology (SHVS), which includes additional features like power assist, brake energy regeneration, idle engine start stop, and gear-shift indicator.
1) Power assist: The Ciaz has an extra battery, which helps in storing extra energy, ultimately translating into increased engine efficiency and unnecessary loss of fuel.
2) Brake energy regeneration: As explained before, this helps in recovering some of he kinetic energy lost when the brakes are applied. The Ciaz gets a unit called the Integrated Starter Generator(ISG), that helps in converting energy from braking of the car and storing it in the battery. This stored energy is then used to power the ISG, which as the company highlights, assists the engine's start-stop function and during acceleration.
3) Idle engine start-stop: This feature actually, is an excellent one for countries where heavy traffic and congestion exists. When the car comes to a standstill, you have to shift in neutral gear and take the foot off the clutch. This turns off the engine automatically. As soon as the clutch is presses again, the car starts, saving time and fuel.
4) Gear-shift indicator: The gear-shift indicator prompts the driver the best time to change the gear for best fuel efficiency.
Thus the SHVS technology in the Ciaz make it quite cheap to run in the Asian countries. Besides the company claims a mileage of 28.09 kmpl, though as experience suggests, will be lower than the proposed number.
Overall, in my opinion, this car will be a game changer for Maruti-Suzuki as this is one of those cars which will give tough competition to other cars in its range. The best part is that like the Indian government, if other governments also provide a tax cut, then it will definitely be at par with cars like Honda City which dominates the cars in its range, including Ciaz. I feel good days are in store for this car, and it should nurture in the current scenario.
