After Maruti announced its decision to stop selling diesel cars by April 2020, the introduction of petrol engines to what were till now diesel-only models was only a matter of time. The first one to get the petrol update will be the Vitara Brezza, which dominates the sub-4m SUV segment. It is likely to arrive in August 2019.

Maruti has not yet confirmed which exact petrol engine will be joining the Brezza’s 1.3-litre diesel engine. It could be one of three potential candidates: the 1.2-litre Dual Jet engine that was introduced on the 2019 Baleno, the 1.0-litre turbocharged unit from the Baleno RS and the 1.5-litre petrol engine that is offered in the Ciaz and Ertiga.

The 1.2-litre Dual Jet petrol unit is the only one here that is already BS6 compliant, and has an output of 90PS and 113Nm. It is also mated to Maruti’s mild-hybrid system in the Baleno for improved fuel efficiency and is currently offered only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile, the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from the Baleno RS makes 102PS of power and 150Nm of torque. It is also mated to a 5-speed manual, but is yet to be updated to meet BS6 emission norms.

Then there is the 1.5-litre petrol engine which is tuned to make 105PS of power and 138Nm of torque and is offered with both a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic in the Ciaz and Ertiga. However, this engine option is less likely as it will attract higher taxation, which would make the Brezza more expensive.

Maruti is most likely to introduce the 1.2-litre BS6 Dual Jet petrol engine in the Brezza for multiple reasons. It would be frugal enough to attract buyers seeking higher fuel efficiency from their sub-4m SUV. In terms of engine size, it would be in keeping with the competition such as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 and Hyundai Venue, which also offer 1.2-litre petrol engine variants. However, the Nexon and XUV300 use turbocharged engines to make up for the power and torque deficit that can be easily covered with a diesel engine.

The 1.2-litre petrol would also allow the Brezza to hold its reasonably priced position in the segment and is expected to be more affordable than the current diesel variant lineup. It is less likely for the petrol Brezza to be powered by the 1.0-litre turbocharged engine as it commands a price premium. While it would be a rival to more powerful variants of the Hyundai Venue and Ford EcoSport, a sporty Brezza at a higher price is unlikely to grace the Indian market.

The 1.2-litre Dual Jet petrol unit is the only one here that is already BS6 compliant, and has an output of 90PS and 113Nm. It is also mated to Maruti’s mild-hybrid system in the Baleno for improved fuel efficiency and is currently offered only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile, the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from the Baleno RS makes 102PS of power and 150Nm of torque. It is also mated to a 5-speed manual, but is yet to be updated to meet BS6 emission norms.

Then there is the 1.5-litre petrol engine which is tuned to make 105PS of power and 138Nm of torque and is offered with both a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic in the Ciaz and Ertiga. However, this engine option is less likely as it will attract higher taxation, which would make the Brezza more expensive.

Maruti is most likely to introduce the 1.2-litre BS6 Dual Jet petrol engine in the Brezza for multiple reasons. It would be frugal enough to attract buyers seeking higher fuel efficiency from their sub-4m SUV. In terms of engine size, it would be in keeping with the competition such as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 and Hyundai Venue, which also offer 1.2-litre petrol engine variants. However, the Nexon and XUV300 use turbocharged engines to make up for the power and torque deficit that can be easily covered with a diesel engine.

The 1.2-litre petrol would also allow the Brezza to hold its reasonably priced position in the segment and is expected to be more affordable than the current diesel variant lineup. It is less likely for the petrol Brezza to be powered by the 1.0-litre turbocharged engine as it commands a price premium. While it would be a rival to more powerful variants of the Hyundai Venue and Ford EcoSport, a sporty Brezza at a higher price is unlikely to grace the Indian market.