The Maruti Eeco is
all set to receive a new lease of life in the form of a BS-VI compliant engine.
Earlier this year, it had received various safety upgrades. It came with a
driver-side airbag, ABS and rear parking sensors, and other updates as
standard.
Furthermore, the
Maruti Eeco will also see a future update with some structural enhancements
making it safe enough to pass the upcoming BNVSAP crash test norms which come
into effect from 1 October 2019. Also, its front fascia will be updated as per
upcoming pedestrian safety norms which will be seen into action from 1 October
2020.
In order to meet
the upcoming (1 April 2020) BS-VI standards, the Maruti Eeco will be given a
BS-VI compliant engine. The company will be left with no option but to upgrade
the current 1.2L G-Series petrol engine, as the latest K-Series petrol engines
aren't fit for the job because of their transverse-mounted, front-wheel-drive
layout; the Eeco requires longitudinal engine layout and rear-wheel-drive
architecture. The BS-IV 1.2L G-Series four-cylinder unit generates 73 PS and
101 Nm of torque in petrol form, and 63 PS and 85 Nm of torque when running on
CNG. The engine delivers an ARAI-rated output of 15.37 km/l on gasoline and
21.94 km/kg on CNG. With the updated emissions, the output and fuel economy
rating is expected to vary a little.
With the BS-VI
update, the new Maruti Eeco's prices would go higher from INR 3.52-4.86 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi) now. Maruti Suzuki has sold over 5,00,000 units of the
Eeco ever since it went on sale in early 2010.
