Key highlights
- Maruti Suzuki to launch Fronx Hybrid in 2025 with a series hybrid powertrain.
- Petrol engine will act solely as a generator and electric motor drives the wheels.
- Expected fuel efficiency over 35 km/l, with ADAS and hybrid badging confirmed.
Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch the Fronx Hybrid in 2025, and this isn’t just another mild hybrid. The upcoming model will feature a full series hybrid setup also known as a range extender where the petrol engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly. Instead, it acts as a generator to charge the battery, which then powers an electric motor that does all the actual driving.
This marks a major shift for Maruti, which has so far relied on Toyota’s series-parallel hybrid systems for models like the Grand Vitara and Invicto. The Fronx Hybrid will debut Suzuki’s own HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) architecture, designed to be simpler and cheaper to produce.
How the range extender works
In a series hybrid, only electricity is produced by the internal combustion engine (ICE). Either the electric motor or a tiny battery pack is charged by that electricity. Similar to a pure EV, the motor serves as the only source of propulsion.
This setup has several advantages:
- Less expensive to manufacture than parallel hybrids
- Simpler integration into compact platforms like the Fronx
- Consistent electric drive experience with increased range
- No need for complex gearboxes or dual power sources
- Maruti took a calculated decision to include a range extender. Because EVs only pay 5% in GST and hybrids do not receive any tax advantages, cost containment is essential.
What to expect from the Fronx Hybrid
The new Fronx Hybrid will likely use a modified version of the Z12E engine seen in the latest Swift. In its standard form, the engine produces 81 bhp and 108 Nm. In the hybrid setup, the engine’s job is just to generate electricity, so the electric motor will handle the torque delivery.
Spy shots suggest the Fronx Hybrid will retain the current design, with subtle changes like hybrid badging and a new ADAS sensor suite. Expect features like:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- 360-degree camera
The hybrid variant will likely sit above the turbo-petrol in the lineup, with pricing expected to be competitive thanks to the simplified powertrain.
Fuel efficiency and launch timeline
Maruti is targeting a fuel efficiency figure north of 35 km/l for the Fronx Hybrid. That would make it one of the most efficient mass-market cars in India, beating even some diesels and CNGs.
The launch is expected in late 2025, with production-ready prototypes already undergoing road testing. The Fronx Hybrid will be followed by similar setups in the Baleno, Swift, and a new compact MPV.
Also read: Prices for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris announced, starts at INR 10.49 lakh
