Japanese automaker, Suzuki Motor Corp has officially announced strong hybrid and range extender for compact cars. The range extenders will come with plug-in charging capabilities, and the system is called “REEV Light”. The company has confirmed that Series HEV and PHEV or REEV light will be offered with compact cars.
Suzuki Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Engines
We believe that the Fronx crossover and Baleno hatchback would be the brand’s first models to receive these two hybrid techs. Both models are brand’s global cars, and on sale in several international markets. The range extenders with plug-in charging capabilities would use an electric motor to drive the wheels and engine to generate electricity on demand. The company plans to add a charging connection and a right sized battery to create a light range extender.
Suzuki claims that, “it will come a “REEV Light” that does not carry an oversized battery yet lets you drive without worrying about the remaining charge.” For both Series hybrid and plug-in hybrid system, the company is likely to use the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, Z12E engine. This 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine would serve as a generator.
In the Series Hybrid engine, the 1.2L engine will work as generator and an electric motor will drive the wheels. The Series HEV will be an affordable hybrid tech compared to the Series-Parallel hybrid technology, which Maruti Suzuki sourced from Toyota to power the Grand Vitara and Victoris. Suzuki Motor Corporation confirmed that it is looking to develop both hybrid solutions together, sharing core platforms and basic designs.
“Rather than developing these individually, we plan them together on a common foundation of core platforms and basic designs, and develop them as a family,” Suzuki stated. The company further said, “for mini vehicles we adopt a new hybrid that achieves fuel economy, driving performance, and cost at a high level, reducing CO2 by 15% versus an ICE vehicle.”