No Clutch, No Petrol: Maruti Swift, Baleno, Dzire CNG AMT From ₹7.92 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki has finally done what CNG buyers have been asking for: the Swift, Baleno and Dzire now get CNG with a five-speed AMT automatic gearbox. ...

Maruti Suzuki has finally done what CNG buyers have been asking for: the Swift, Baleno and Dzire now get CNG with a five-speed AMT automatic gearbox. Prices start at ₹7.92 lakh for the Swift, ₹8.32 lakh for the Baleno and ₹8.53 lakh for the Dzire, all ex-showroom. In simple terms, buyers can now get the lower running cost of CNG without spending their daily commute operating a clutch pedal.

For years, CNG and automatic felt like two relatives who refused to attend the same family function. Maruti has finally made them sit at the same table.

Maruti CNG AMT Price and Mileage

The Dzire leads the mileage contest at 36.47 km/kg, followed by the Swift at 35.34 km/kg and the Baleno at 34.47 km/kg.

Those numbers are enough to make your fuel bill look suspiciously polite.

What Engine Do the CNG AMT Cars Get?

All three use Maruti's 1.2-litre Z12E three-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed AMT, which Maruti calls AGS.

In CNG mode, the engine produces 70 PS and 102 Nm.

It is not the kind of power that will make your friends ask for a drag race. But that is not the point.

The point is getting through a 90-minute traffic jam without repeatedly pressing a clutch pedal until your left leg develops its own personality.

Why CNG AMT Makes Sense

The new combination solves a common problem.

CNG gives buyers lower running costs, but traditionally came with a manual gearbox. Petrol automatics were easier to drive in traffic, but cost more to run.

The CNG AMT tries to give buyers both benefits.

This could make particular sense for people covering long distances every day, city commuters, cab operators and anyone who spends more time crawling through traffic than actually driving.

Maruti has also reported a 58% year-on-year increase in S-CNG sales in the first quarter of the year, so the company clearly sees room to push CNG beyond its traditional fleet-car image.

What About the Toyota Glanza CNG?

This is where the family drama begins.

The Toyota Glanza is closely related to the Baleno, but the Glanza CNG is still available only with a five-speed manual gearbox.

There is no Glanza CNG AMT.

The Glanza CNG S starts at ₹8.49 lakh, while the G CNG starts at ₹9.53 lakh. Meanwhile, the Baleno CNG AMT starts at ₹8.32 lakh.

So you can currently get a CNG automatic Baleno for less than the starting price of the CNG Glanza.

The Maruti-Toyota family reunion just got awkward.

The Baleno got two pedals.

The Glanza got a clutch.

Minor Considerations

CNG tanks continue to eat into boot space.

The Swift CNG also does not get a spare wheel, while the Baleno gets one. So if you are planning a family road trip, don't assume you can throw four suitcases, two backpacks and your mother's emergency kitchen into the boot.

You may need to pack like you're playing Tetris for a living.

Swift, Baleno or Dzire CNG AMT?

The basic choice is fairly simple.

Swift CNG AMT: Lowest entry price and strong claimed mileage.

Baleno CNG AMT: More premium positioning, better boot practicality than the Swift CNG and Nexa branding.

Dzire CNG AMT: Highest claimed mileage of the three and the obvious choice for buyers who want a sedan.

The bigger story, however, is the gearbox.

Maruti has finally removed one of the biggest compromises of CNG ownership. You can now save on fuel without manually shifting gears through every traffic jam.

No clutch. No petrol. Just CNG and a gearbox doing the boring work for you.

Your wallet might finally get a break.

Your left leg definitely will.