2010 Suzuki SX4 Hybrid Revealed At Delhi Auto Expo

FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S Swift plug-in hybrid and reports of a hybrid version of the upcoming Kizashi sedan, Suzuki has unveiled the SX4 Hybrid concept at the Delhi Auto Expo.

The SX4 Hybrid utilises a system developed by India's Maruti Suzuki in partnership with the National Hybrid Propulsion Program and the lengthily-named Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources' High Energy Density Battery Development Program.

The SX4 Hybrid is powered by a 1.2 litre petrol engine, paired with a 50kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Similar to the Toyota Prius, the SX4 Hybrid can operate not only with the petrol and electric motors running simultaneously, but also in electric-only mode for short distances. This type of drivetrain is known as a parallel system.

Unlike the Prius and many other hybrid vehicles however, the SX4 Hybrid's engine and electric motor send their power to the wheels via a traditional five-speed manual transmission, rather than a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) system.

While no launch plans have been confirmed, Maruti Suzuki expects to have ten SX4 Hybrids in operation at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi later this year.

Click to read TMR's review of the 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan and SX 4x4.