Key highlights
- Maruti Fronx Hybrid spied testing for the first time in India
- Likely to be equipped with a new series hybrid Z12E engine
- Fuel economy can be more than 35 kmpl
The upcoming Maruti Fronx Hybrid has been spotted for the first time on a road test in India. It will become the first in-house-made hybrid car from Maruti once launched. Read the complete details of it below.
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Maruti Fronx Hybrid – what to expect?
Spied in Gurugram, the test car can be seen without any camouflage in a dual-tone Opulent Red colour. The Hybrid badge on the boot gives away the identity of the test mule. However, the interesting bit about the upcoming hybrid model will be the in-house series hybrid powertrain that has been specifically developed by Maruti for higher localization and affordability.
The series hybrid engine will be based on the Z12E three-cylinder unit that made its debut with the new-gen Swift. As per online reports, the series hybrid Fronx will have an electric motor that will power the car completely, while the engine will act as a generator to recharge the battery repeatedly.
While the test car looks unchanged cosmetically, we can safely assume that it will get a styling and cabin update when the production version is launched in India. Maruti plans to introduce its series hybrid technology by 2025-end through the Fronx. Later, it will power the new-gen Brezza, new-gen Ertiga, and the next-gen Swift by late 2027.
It is also rumoured that with the lightweight shell and the efficient hybrid tech, the Fronx Hybrid will deliver more than 35 kmpl of fuel efficiency. If so, it will be a revolutionary step in the budget car segment by Maruti Suzuki.
Also read: 2025 Maruti Swift Hybrid spied testing with ADAS – 5 star BNCAP coming soon?
Our verdict
The experiment with the strong hybrid tech was successful by Maruti Suzuki through Grand Vitara. However, it is a Toyota-patent tech and it is also complex to make which leads to high cost. The series hybrid is expected to reduce the cost marginally while keeping the fuel efficiency numbers high.