Maruti Victoris CBG Variant To Debut At Japan Mobility Show 2025

Maruti Suzuki is preparing a notable expansion of its alternative fuel portfolio with the showcase of a compressed biogas variant of the Victoris at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. Running from October 30 to November 9, the event will see Suzuki display the Victoris CBG alongside its existing petrol hybrid and S CNG offerings. While the India launch is not confirmed, the concept signals how India’s best known carmaker is looking beyond conventional CNG and toward renewable gas solutions that fit the country’s waste to energy aspirations.

What Is CBG and How Is It Different From CNG

Compressed biogas and compressed natural gas share the same principal component, methane, hence they behave similarly inside an engine and refueling network. The core difference lies in origin. CNG is extracted from fossil gas deposits. CBG is produced by anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams such as agricultural residue, cattle dung, and municipal wet waste. Because the carbon released during combustion was recently captured by plants and biomass, CBG operates in a near closed carbon cycle. This makes it a renewable fuel pathway that can help reduce net greenhouse gas emissions when produced and distributed responsibly.

For India, the appeal is strategic. The country generates abundant agri and dairy waste, and converting this into vehicle grade gas can lower urban waste burdens, add farmer income, and reduce crude import dependence. Passenger cars on CBG are not yet on sale in India, so a Victoris CBG signals a potential first mover advantage if infrastructure and policy support align.

Quick Summary

Packaging and Design Highlights

The Victoris CBG adopts the same underbody dual cylinder tank layout seen on the S CNG variant. This placement keeps cylinders out of the luggage area and maintains a flat, usable boot. From a customer standpoint, that means the practicality expected of a midsize SUV is preserved. Underbody protection, shielding for the cylinders and lines, and standard safety hardware that accompanies factory fitted gas powertrains are expected to carry over, since these are already engineered on the CNG version.

Beyond the tank layout, the Victoris CBG is intended to look and feel like the familiar Victoris. Expect the usual exterior trim choices and a feature set that mirrors the mainstream variants, with instrumentation and fuel selection controls adapted for biogas operation if the model reaches series production.

Powertrain Landscape Of The Victoris In India

Maruti launched the Victoris in September 2025 with three distinct powertrains and 21 variants. The 1.5 litre mild hybrid petrol delivers 103 hp and 139 Nm, paired with a 5 speed manual or 6 speed automatic. Claimed efficiency stands at 21.18 kpl for the manual and 21.06 kpl for the automatic. All wheel drive versions are rated at 19.07 kpl. The strong hybrid option, based on a Toyota derived 1.5 litre petrol electric setup, produces a combined 116 hp and 141 Nm through an e CVT, and returns a claimed 28.56 kpl, the thriftiest of the range. The S CNG versions are manual only, produce 89 hp in CNG mode, and deliver a rated 27.02 km per kg.

Pricing for the Victoris line in India starts at Rs 10.50 lakh ex showroom, with CNG variants from Rs 11.50 lakh and the top end pushing up to Rs 19.99 lakh depending on configuration. The model sells through Maruti’s Arena network and competes directly with Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Honda Elevate.

Why A Victoris CBG Makes Sense

Maruti has invested about Rs 450 crore in renewable energy initiatives, including a biogas plant at its Manesar facility that began operations in 2024. A Victoris CBG aligns that upstream investment with a downstream product pathway. In practical terms, CBG offers the drivability and refueling familiarity of CNG with the added benefit of renewable sourcing. For fleet operators and private users in regions where CBG dispensing becomes available, running costs could be competitive while offering a lower lifecycle carbon footprint.

The Victoris platform already supports gaseous fuel packaging and calibration through its S CNG variants. That shortens development time for a CBG derivative and reduces engineering risk. If policy incentives, distribution partnerships, and pump rollouts gain traction, the Victoris CBG could transition from concept showcase to production candidate.

Market Positioning And Customer Value

The Victoris sits in the core of India’s midsize SUV segment where practicality, efficiency, and ownership costs strongly influence purchase decisions. A CBG option would add another lever for value conscious buyers, particularly in cities and corridors where biogas pumps emerge alongside existing CNG infrastructure. Because the tank layout does not compromise luggage space, the daily utility remains intact. Maintenance regimes for factory gas models are well understood by Maruti’s network, which helps with service confidence.

The biggest variable is availability. Unlike CNG, which is now present across many urban centers, CBG dispensing requires coordinated development with waste aggregators, gas upgraders, and city distributors. The showcase at the Japan Mobility Show therefore serves a dual purpose. It demonstrates technical readiness and invites stakeholders to collaborate on supply.

Outlook

India launch is not announced, so timelines will depend on network readiness, policy signals, and customer demand. If the ecosystem matures through 2026 and beyond, the Victoris CBG would broaden Maruti’s renewable fuel footprint alongside hybrids and CNG, giving buyers multiple routes to lower running costs and emissions without sacrificing the familiar SUV format.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between CBG and CNG in the Victoris context

Both fuels are predominantly methane and behave similarly in engines. The difference is origin. CNG is fossil based, CBG is produced from organic waste through anaerobic digestion, which makes it a renewable option.

2. Will the Victoris CBG lose boot space because of gas cylinders

No, the CBG variant uses the same underbody dual cylinder arrangement as the S CNG model, so the boot remains largely unaffected and usable for luggage.

3. Is the Victoris CBG launching in India soon

Maruti has not confirmed an India launch. The model is being showcased at the Japan Mobility Show to gauge interest and signal technical readiness while infrastructure and policy evolve.

4. How does the Victoris line up in India look today

There are petrol mild hybrid, strong hybrid, and S CNG powertrains across 21 variants. Claimed efficiencies range from about 19 kpl on AWD petrol to 28.56 kpl on the strong hybrid, with S CNG rated at 27.02 km per kg.

5. Will CBG impact performance or maintenance compared to CNG

Because CBG and CNG are chemically similar, performance and service routines are expected to be comparable when calibration is done for biogas. The bigger factor for ownership will be local fuel availability and pricing.

Official Website

For official updates and the current Victoris range, visit: https://www.marutisuzuki.com

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