Maruti Suzuki Strong Hybrid Technology: Reaching Unbelievable New Heights

Maruti Suzuki, India's biggest carmaker has always been bringing innovation to the Indian car market ever since it hit the roads back in 1983 with the first-ever 800.

In the 40+ years that have followed, Maruti Suzuki has brought tech like the HEARTECT safety platform, efficient K Series engines, Auto Gear Shift transmission, and environmentally friendly S-CNG and Smart Hybrid technologies to make the lives of those inside the cabin that much easier.

Now, the latest innovation from Maruti Suzuki is promising not only unbelievable fuel efficiency and performance but offers us a bridge to an all-electric future.

Dubbed "Intelligent Electric Hybrid" these Strong Hybrid powertrains mark a turn away from the previous mild hybrid systems instead using the electric motor and IC powerplant together to get the best of both worlds - the instant torque and lesser emissions of EVs with the range and flexibility of highly efficient internal combustion engines.

Let's take a look at these Strong Hybrid cars from Maruti Suzuki and find out the tech that powers them as we look at the future of motoring tech in India.

The new Maruti Suzuki Strong Hybrid vehicles take the electrification game to a whole new level as they leverage Internal combustion and electric power to deliver unbelievable results which can be seen in Maruti Suzuki's Grand Vitara SUV and the new Invicto flagship MPV.

Both vehicles use naturally-aspirated petrol engines and an electric motor that draws power from a battery pack (lithium-ion in the Grand Vitara and a Ni-MH battery in the Invicto) that work together, adapting to changing driving conditions to deliver performance on the go. The major difference between the powertrains in the Invicto and the Grand Vitara is the size of the Internal combustion engines with the former sporting a 2.0-litre unit and the latter getting a 1.5-litre powerplant.

Despite the different sized Atkinson-cycle Internal combustion engines, the Strong Hybrid powertrains work in exactly the same way in both the Invicto and the Grand Vitara. Both vehicles ensure that the electric motor and IC engine work together to deliver the best possible response in terms of both performance and efficiency.

This is further enhanced by the different driving modes that offer an unbelievable mix of performance and efficiency while keeping harmful emissions at an absolute minimum.

The first of these modes is the lesser emissions Electric Drive mode or EV Mode. In EV mode, the Strong Hybrid Technology allows the Invicto and Grand Vitara to basically function as an all-electric vehicle. This allows for a silent driving experience while allowing the customers in the cabin to access the instant torque delivery and efficiency of the electric motor.

When accelerating or under demanding conditions, the Strong Hybrid Technology on the Invicto and the Grand Vitara seamlessly shifts into Hybrid Mode, which turns on the internal combustion engine while keeping the electric motor running as well. With both the engine and electric motor working in tandem, you get the best off both performance and mileage.

Engine Drive Mode is engaged when the battery levels get depleted. In this mode, the engine alone drives the wheels while also charging up the lithium-ion/ Ni-MH battery pack at the same time.

The Strong Hybrid system also uses Regenerative Braking to charge up the battery pack, meaning that whenever you tap the brakes of either the Grand Vitara or the Invicto from Maruti Suzuki, you are charging up the lithium-ion/ Ni-MH battery pack.

This self-charging capability of Maruti Suzuki's Strong Hybrid Technology means that most of the time you find yourself behind the wheel of the Invicto or the Grand Vitara, you are driving in EV mode which means that the tailpipe emissions are kept as low as possible. This self-charging ability as well as regen means that with Maruti Suzuki's Strong Hybrid powertrains, you can cover great distances (over 1200km) on a single tank while never having to worry about the bane of EV owners - range anxiety.

Final Thoughts About Maruti Suzuki's Strong Hybrid Vehicles - An Unbelievably Real Bridge To The Future

The Maruti Suzuki Strong Hybrid powertrains offered with the advanced Grand Vitara SUV and the indulgently opulent Invicto luxury MPV show how two different powertrains - the IC engines of the present day and past working together with EV motors from the future of motoring to deliver unbelievably efficient, powerful and environmentally friendly performance on the roads today.