Fronx and Baleno: Suzuki has made a big announcement about its new hybrid technology for the compact car. The company has informed of developing strong hybrid as well as range extender technology. The range extender system will also have support for plug-in charging and the company has named it REEV Light.

According to the company, the compact car will use both series hybrid (HEV) and PHEV/REEV light hybrid technologies. It is believed that the Suzuki Fronx and Baleno could be among the first models to get this new technology. Both models are available for sale in many international markets.

How will Suzuki’s REEV light system work?

Suzuki’s range extender technology will work a little differently. In this, the electric motor will drive the wheels of the car, while the petrol engine will generate electricity for the battery when needed. The company will also provide plug-in charging facility in it. For this, charging ports and battery packs will be installed in the car as required.

It aims to provide the benefits of electric driving without using large and heavy batteries. Suzuki says the REEV Lite won’t have a large battery, but it will help reduce battery range concerns while driving.

The 1.2 liter engine can be the generator of the hybrid system

Suzuki’s 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder Z12E petrol engine is likely to be used in systems including robust hybrid and plug-in hybrid. This naturally aspirated engine can act as a generator instead of driving the wheels directly. In a series hybrid system, the petrol engine will generate electricity and the electric motor will use that electricity to drive the wheels of the car. That is, the direct work of driving will remain with the electric motor.

The technology will be different from the series-parallel hybrid system that Maruti Suzuki has used in models like the Grand Vitara and Victoris with technology borrowed from Toyota.

Both the hybrid technologies will be ready together

Suzuki has said that the company will develop the series hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems on the same basis instead of developing them separately. For this both systems will use common platform and basic design. According to the company, developing these technologies as a family will make development more efficient.

Suzuki also said that the new hybrid technology for the small car will focus on striking a better balance between mileage, driving performance and cost. The company claims that this technology can reduce CO2 emissions by around 15 percent compared to cars with ICE i.e. conventional petrol engines. If this technology makes it to models like Fronx and Baleno, these cars could see a new option of electrified driving with better fuel efficiency.