Last week we brought you the exclusive scoop of Maruti Suzuki launching the Celerio CNG variant in India within four months of the hatchback’s launch. The Celerio which received a segment first automated transmission (AMT) unit has received a very successful start, raking in the bookings fast as Maruti tries to play catch up with the deliveries. Now more details of the CNG variant have emerged on the company’s website, the car will make its debut as early as next month.
Maruti is offering the Celerio CNG in only the VXi variant. Christened as the Celerio Green VXi, the hatchback uses the same 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder K-Series petrol engine that is detuned to produce around 59 PS of power on CNG mode (68 PS on the petrol variant), mated to a 5-speed manual transmission unit only. Maruti uses the i-GPI (Intelligent-Gas Port Injection) technology that injects the CNG gas into the combustion chamber of the engine when running on dual mode. The company has also made amendments to the suspension of the Celerio to counter the added weight of the cylinder.
The i-GPI technology is also seen on the Wagon R, Ertiga and the Alto models in the company’s line-up. With the CNG tank factory fitted on the Celerio, the hatchback is being claimed to have cheaper running costs on par with two-wheelers. The Celerio CNG has a claimed fuel efficiency of 31.79 km/kg, while the running cost comes to a very low Rs. 1.20/- per km. The company is certainly making the Celerio a very value for money proposition with the CNG variant, which makes it an ideal car for commuting in the city.
However, we do expect Maruti to launch an LPG version of the Celerio as well later in the product’s lifecycle. The K-Series motor is capable of running on both the fuel options (as seen on Wagon R) and the LPG variant will cater to the non-CNG markets. We were surprised though that the company chose to not offer the Celerio CNG with the AMT gearbox, which would be maximising on the first mover advantage. Nonetheless, Maruti Suzuki has priced the Celerio Green VXi variant at Rs. 4,92,995/- (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
