Bhubaneswar, Oct 24: At a time when the CNG is one and unique solution to the massive environmental pollution yet, contributed by the automobiles fueled by conventional carbonated petrochemicals, the latest innovations in CNG-fueled car manufacturing industries are getting a brighter future.
The CNG is increasingly becoming the fuel of choice for budget car buyers and the need of the time, amidst petrol and EV counterparts, thanks to many automakers to pull the plug on small-capacity diesel engines.
Maruti Suzuki has been dominating the CNG market in India with a wide range of models, while Tata, Hyundai and Toyota are other manufacturers that offer CNG cars in India.
CNG vehicles do command a premium over their petrol counterparts, but have significantly lesser running costs, making it viable for use in the city. So, here’s a list of all CNG vehicles currently on sale in India, ranked from the least to the most fuel efficient, offering a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel.
Among a series of existing CNG Model Cars and the incoming models which are almost waiting a kickstart soon, one can opt his dream car from a wide range of CNG products this diwali. Here are some better options before you, to think upon.
1. Maruti Celerio CNG - 34.43km/kg
Yet another Maruti CNG car to make use of the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder NA petrol engine, the Celerio CNG delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 34.43km/kg. This makes it the most fuel-efficient CNG car in India. Available with the VXi variant only, the Maruti Celerio CNG is priced at Rs 6.74 lakh, about Rs 91,000 more than the equivalent petrol variant.
2. Maruti Alto K10 CNG - 33.85km/kg
The Alto K10 CNG gets the same 1.0-litre K10C engine as the Wagon R CNG and S-Presso CNG, with identical power and torque figures. The Alto K10 CNG offers a claimed fuel economy of 33.85km/kg, making it the second most fuel efficient CNG-powered car in the market. The Alto K10 gets two CNG variants - LXi and VXi, priced at Rs 5.74 lakh and Rs 5.96 lakh.
3. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG - 33.47km/kg
While the Wagon R is available with 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol engines to choose from, CNG buyers can only get the factory fitted kit with the 1.0-litre unit that’s paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This engine develops 65hp and 89Nm in petrol mode and 57hp and 82.1Nm in CNG mode. The Wagon R CNG is also available in two trims – LXi and VXi – with prices ranging between Rs 6.45 lakh-6.89 lakh. With a mileage of 33.47km/kg, the Wagon R is the third most fuel efficient CNG car in India.
4. Maruti Swift CNG - 32.85km/kg
Maruti recently launched the Swift CNG in India, four months after launching the petrol hatchback. Prices for the Swift CNG start from Rs 8.20 lakh, and it is available in three trims – VXi, VXi (O) and ZXi variants. With CNG, the Z-series engine on the Swift produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm of torque, and delivers a 32.85km/kg fuel efficiency. The Swift CNG costs Rs 90,000 more than corresponding petrol variants.
5. Maruti S-Presso CNG - 32.73km/kg
The S-Presso CNG gets a 1.0-litre engine that’s only offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox with the CNG kit. In petrol-only mode, the engine puts out 65hp and 89Nm of torque, which drops to 57hp and 82Nm in CNG mode. Similar to other Maruti Suzuki CNG models, the S Presso is also available in two trims – LXi and VXi. Prices of the S-Presso CNG range between Rs 5.92 lakh-6.12 lakh.
6. Maruti Dzire CNG - 31.12km/kg
The Dzire CNG shares the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder powertrain as the CNG versions of the Baleno, Swift and Glanza. This means that it produces 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77hp and 98.5Nm in CNG mode. Similar to its hatchback counterpart, the Swift, the Dzire CNG is available in two trims – VXi and ZXi. Prices of the Dzire CNG range between Rs 8.23 lakh-8.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) making it Rs 95,000 more than the equivalent petrol trims.
Maruti is all set to launch the next-gen Dzire in India after Diwali. The new-gen version of the compact sedan will be equipped with a first-in-class electric sunroof, and feature substantial design changes over new Swift.
7. Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza CNG - 30.61km/kg
The Maruti Baleno CNG and its rebadged twin Toyota Glanza CNG are powered by the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine that’s paired only to a 5-speed manual gearbox, producing 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77.4hp and 98.5Nm in CNG mode. The two premium CNG hatchbacks have a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 30.61km/kg for the CNG versions.
The Maruti Baleno CNG is priced between Rs 8.40 lakh and Rs 9.33 lakh, while the Glanza CNG is priced from Rs 8.65 lakh to Rs 9.68 lakh.
8. Maruti Fronx, Toyota Taisor CNG - 28.51km/kg
The Maruti Fronx and Toyota Taisor are available with a CNG kit with the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder NA petrol engine that the two share. This engine generates 77.5hp and 98.5Nm torque in CNG mode, and is available with a 5-speed manual transmission only. The two have a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 28.51km/kg. The Fronx CNG is priced from Rs 8.46 lakh to Rs 9.32 lakh, while the Toyota Taisor CNG is available in only one variant, priced at Rs 8.71 lakh.
9. Hyundai Exter CNG - 27.1km/kg
The Hyundai Exter CNG takes up the 9th spot with its 27.1km/kg fuel efficiency figure. Available in S and SX variants, the Exter CNG is priced from Rs 8.50 lakh to Rs 9.38 lakh for the SX Knight CNG variant. The SUV gets a dual-cylinder CNG setup, opening up more space in the boot as compared to a conventional single cylinder unit. The Exter CNG makes use of the same 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine as the standard car, but on CNG, its output is 69hp and 95.2Nm.
10. Tata Punch CNG - 26.99km/kg
The recently updated Tata Punch now gets seven CNG variants, with prices starting from Rs 7.23 lakh and going up to Rs 9.90 lakh. The Punch CNG makes use of a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder NA petrol engine producing 73.5hp and 103Nm torque. Unlike CNG versions of Tiago and Tigor, the Punch CNG does not get an automatic option. The CNG SUV has a claimed fuel efficiency of 26.99km/kg.
