2021 Maruti Swift new model spotted for the first time

The 2021 Maruti Swift facelift has been spied for the first time and the pictures in the story show a red example.

Minor exterior changes

The lack of a typical camouflage on the prototype might make you think it’s probably the old model, and but know that the design would not change much. Except for the radiator grille, all other body parts, including the bumpers, would look the same on the 2021 Maruti Swift.

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The new radiator grille will likely feature a honeycomb pattern but it would be of the same shape. Unlike the old model, it will likely be available in a dual-tone colour scheme. The changes on the inside should include the upgraded infotainment system.

More power, more mileage & better acceleration

The talking points of the 2021 Maruti Swift are expected to be:

• The availability of the more powerful 1.2-litre ‘Dualjet’ engine which comes with an improved fuel injection and valve timing systems.
• Maruti’s ‘Smart Hybrid’ technology that employs an Integrated Starter Generator.

Maruti has this combination in the 2020 Maruti Baleno (released in April 2020) that makes 5 kW (6.7 hp) of added power as compared to the non-SHVS version. The fuel efficiency increases from 21.01 km/l to 23.87 km/l which represents a 13.6 percent improvement. Couple these with an expected kerb weight of the 890 kg (current Swift weighs between 855 and 885 kg), we can expect better acceleration as well. However note that the SHVS comes only on the top-spec Delta and Zeta variants and the same should be observed on the 2021 Maruti Swift.

Maruti’s Smart Hybrid System performs the following functions:

• Torque Assist: The energy stored in the secondary lithium ion battery assists during vehicle acceleration delivering improved performance without affecting fuel efficiency.
• Idle start stop: The engine automatically cuts off when idling and restarts when the user indicates he/she is ready to go, thereby saving fuel.
• Brake energy regeneration: During vehicle deceleration, the Smart Hybrid technology converts it into electrical energy to charge the lithium ion battery which in turn assist the engine for the said functions.

The Dualjet engine is Maruti Suzuki’s alternative to turbo-charged petrol units of the competition but a less-expensive one. After the BS-VI norms came into play on 1 April 2020, Maruti Suzuki has discontinued the 1.3-litre diesel unit and fuel efficiency seekers could look at the Smart Hybrid as an alternative.

Prices are expected to start from around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom) for the Swift facelift and go till Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Japanese-spec Swift is the highest configuration of the model available globally. It gets paddle shifters, a 360-degree camera and a full-hybrid system where pure electric drive mode is possible. The vehicle was presented at the 2020 Auto Expo, and Maruti plans hybrid vehicles as part of the ‘Mission Green Million’ strategy of introducing a million ‘green’ vehicles in the next couple of years.

The inclusion of SHVS marks the first level of electrification on the Swift and from here we expect it to intensify.

[Source – GaadiWaadi.com and AutocarIndia.com]