Maruti makes mechanical changes

TILL DATE, Maruti Suzuki sold the S-Cross only its diesel format. At the Auto Expo 2020, the Indian carmaker introduced the petrol version of the S-Cross with slight cosmetic updates, which will replace the diesel version in the Nexa’s portfolio. The company announced the axing of lower capacity diesel engines from its entire range across

all vehicles last year, and the S-Cross with diesel mill was one of the models that would be discontinued. Now, the company has revealed its plan to launch the S-Cross petrol version and announced it on its website. The updated S-Cross will come powered by a BS-VI compliant 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine that does duty in the Vitara Brezza facelift. Maruti Suzuki will also introduce its mild hybrid version similar to the XL6, Ciaz and Ertiga that churns out 103bhp and 138Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox and 4-speed torque convertor. The mild-hybrid system on the S-Cross petrol will come with an integrated starter generator. And taking the brunt of ceasing of diesel engines is Maruti Suzuki’s 2019 ICOTY winner, the all new Swift which will only feature a petrol mill from now on. The Swift’s 1.3-litre diesel engine developed 75bhp and 190Nm. While the first two generations of the Swift were offered with a 5-speed manual transmission, the third-gen model also came

with an AMT.