Tag Archive: hybrid

Suzuki steps up its self-charging hybrid models

December 13, 2019

In line with continued plans to further reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy across its range of vehicles, Suzuki GB PLC is excited to introduce three 48-Volt Self-Charging Hybrid equipped derivatives to its range in Spring 2020 which will also include the launch of the new K14D Boosterjet petrol engine.

The new Hybrid Powertrain will be introduced for Swift Sport, Vitara and S-Cross models and offer up to 20 per cent lower CO2 emissions, a greater level of torque and 15 per cent overall improvement in WLTP Combined fuel consumption. These models will directly replace the current 1.4-litre Boosterjet derivatives with manual transmission.

Similar in basic principle to the 12V Hybrid SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) system that Suzuki pioneered in 2016 and fitted to all manual transmission models in the Ignis range and Swift SZ5 models, the newly developed 48V Hybrid Powertrain remains very lightweight in design and the components add less than 15kg to the overall weight of the vehicle.

The new and higher-powered Suzuki SHVS system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (known as ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage including lights, audio and air conditioning. The ISG acts as both a generator and starter motor, is belt driven and assists the petrol engine during vehicle take off for a higher level of torque with 235Nm available from 2,000rpm.

The compact and high-performance lithium-ion battery stores electrical energy recovered from deceleration and braking and incorporates an idle stop function operated via the Integrated Starter Generator. This battery, along with the DC/DC convertor unit, are located under the front seats to assist overall weight distribution.

A further benefit of the new 48V Hybrid system is the introduction of electric motor idling when the clutch is disengaged and the engine speed is approximately 1,000rpm. This feature essentially replaces fuel injection with power from the electric motor to then control and maintain engine idling at vehicle speeds below 10mph and when stationary.

This function therefore eliminates fuel consumption under these conditions as engine momentum is electrically controlled by the ISG unit and the car is ready to re-accelerate on request with no engine restart delay.

Further detail and full specifications of the three new Hybrid models will be announced in advance of media and public launch which is planned for March 2020.

Hybrid News in Brief – Ignis

September 12, 2019

In line with plans to further reduce CO2 emissions across its range of vehicles, Suzuki GB PLC is pleased to announce the introduction of two further Hybrid grades for the Ignis range. Suzuki’s system is now available across all manual transmission 1.2-litre Dualjet models which are SZ3, SZ-T, SZ5 two-wheel drive and SZ5 ALLGRIP 4X4.

Suzuki is the pioneer of the compact low cost 12V Hybrid system which is ideally suited to a small car; its components add just 6.2kg to the overall kerb weight of 865kg for the SZ3 whilst reducing CO2emissions by an average of eight per cent.

The SHVS system (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) is a compact and lightweight unit that incorporates an Integrated Starter Generator (known as ISG) which acts as both a generator and starter motor, the ISG is belt driven and assists the engine during vehicle take off and acceleration and also generates electricity through regenerative braking.

The system also uses a compact high performance lithium-ion battery placed under the front passenger seat to store energy and incorporates an idle stop function operated via the Integrated Start Generator. This in turn helps all Ignis manual two wheel drive models attain CO2 emissions of 98g/km (NEDC) and achieve a combined fuel consumption figure of 54.1mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. The SZ5 ALLGRIP is only just behind at 105g/km and 48.6mpg on the combined cycle.