5 CNG cars you can buy as diesel-petrol price on rise
New Delhi: As the crude price is on rise CNG cars have gone from being fleet-cab staples to perfectly viable choices for private transport. The choices, however, aren’t evenly spread across segments with Maruti Suzuki being the only brand to offer an extensive range of CNG options, across their portfolio. At present, the brand has 11 models, factory-fitted to run on CNG (and petrol).
As a customer and owner of a petrol car, you are free to have a CNG conversion kit installed. However, apart from the additional cost of roughly Rs 30,000 – Rs 50,000 incurred, a customer stands to lose the warranty provided by the car brand. That is, if your car is “CNG approved”. In addition to this, you must know that while CNG cars are cheaper to run, the kit and the CNG container will take up a considerable amount of boot space.
1 Maruti Wagon-R
considering. Sure, the Sportz 1.2-litre Kappa VTVT option (the top most CNG variant) might cost a bit more, but its features list includes a reverse camera, ABS, EBD, rear A/C vents, front and rear power windows and electronically adjustable RVMs. Apart from that, the naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine offers marginally greater levels of power (65 bhp). Mileage, although more than sufficient, takes a bit of a hit at 18.9 km/kg. On the whole, however, the overall cabin quality and comfort levels are higher than those of its main competitors.
The S-Presso was engineered to a young crowd and features a wide SUV-like stance, something that the youth definitely likes. Starting at Rs 3.71 lakh, the S-Presso gets features like Maruti Suzuki’s Smartplay 2.0 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a host of other features. Powering the hatchback is the discontinued Alto K10’s 1-litre motor upgraded to BS-VI.
range offers the kind of space and potential for customisation as this van. Sure, the absence of extensive safety features is a cause for concern, but that hasn’t stopped it from being a popular choice for both private and commercial transport. While the CNG option is available only with a 5-seat configuration, it’s really the abundance of space that’s allowed it a spot on this list. Powered by a frugal 1198cc petrol motor, the CNG-fitted Eeco isn’t suited to linear speeds. But pretty much nothing in this price range offers the kind of utility, and fuel efficiency (An ARAI tested 19.2km/kg) as this gentle giant.