Purported Maruti Ciaz 1.5 L diesel spotted testing, will be launched in 2019

Earlier this month, a report emerged claiming that the Maruti Ciaz will get a 1.5 L diesel engine next year and not at the time of the launch of the facelift. Maruti will continue testing this engine before its market launch and as per the source who shared spy shots on the Team-BHP forum, this Maruti Ciaz facelift test mule is equipped with the new 1.5 L engine.

It has already been widely reported that the Maruti Ciaz’s Fiat-sourced D13A 1.3-litre diesel engine will be replaced by a Suzuki-developed 1.5-litre diesel engine. The swap was expected to take place with the mid-cycle refresh this year. However only a new 1.5-litre petrol engine will be introduced with the mid-cycle refresh and, as mentioned earlier, the 1.5-litre diesel engine will follow in 2019. The new diesel engine will likely be compliant with BSVI emission norms that will come into effect in April 2020.

The Maruti Ciaz’s 1.3-litre diesel engine produces 66 kW (90 PS) at 4,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is expected to deliver much higher power and torque, bringing the performance on par with competitors. While the 1.3-litre engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the 1.5-litre engine could come paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Maruti Suzuki will likely continue offering the SHVS system in the Ciaz diesel post the engine change.

Also See: India-spec 2018 Maruti Ertiga interior spied

The facelifted Maruti Ciaz with a refreshed design, new petrol engine and new features such as cruise control and engine auto start-stop (new for petrol engine model) will go on sale next month. The new petrol engine is expected to be the same one that powers the 2018 Suzuki Ertiga. The K15B 1.5-litre unit develops 104.7 PS at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.

[Image Source: Team-BHP]