Suzuki SX4 Hybrid concept

Suzuki Maruti, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese car maker, released two concept cars at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi, the R3 and the intriguing SX4 Hybrid.

Being a parallel hybrid, the Suzuki SX4 Hybrid concept can activate both petrol and electric motors simultaneously, but can also run on pure electricity for short periods of time, much like the Toyota Prius.

Suzuki Maruti plans to have several SX4 Hybrid vehicles in use at the 2010 Commonwealth games in October, which are to be held in New Delhi, and the technology could reach full production in a few years time.

Tony Devers, the General Manager of Suzuki Australia, stated that Maruti Suzuki "is a significant part of Suzuki Motor Corporation's global Research and Development team and Suzuki Australia will have access to all such developments and initiatives.

"For the moment we continue to review consumer trends on hybrid technology to assess the potential for this product in the Australian market," added Mr Devers.

Based on the standard SX4, the SX4 Hybrid concept has been developed with an eye towards full scale production in the medium term. It may also use some of the features seen in the Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid concept first seen at the Tokyo motor show.

Developed by Suzuki Maruti in India with support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources' High Energy Density Battery Development Program, the SX4 Hybrid concept partners a compact 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 50kW electric motor hooked up to a lithium battery.

It comes as no surprise that Suzuki should release not one, but two brand new concept cars in India, as the car maker is the leading brand in the sub-continent with a whopping 50 per cent market share - and rising.

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