With car sales in India growing steadily, more and more people seem to be opting for personal mobility on four wheels. This trend has become even more popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. While it may be a positive marker of growth for the Indian automotive industry, there is no denying that it has also had a big impact on traffic levels, which are ever-increasing. And it is a given that roads anywhere, be it in cities or remote areas, only offer a finite capacity to accommodate the growing number of vehicles. So, how can a driver increase his/her comfort whilst tackling growing road traffic daily? Well, the answer has been around for some time, and new-age India already seems to have developed a liking for it! You guessed it – cars equipped with an automatic gearbox. And when it comes to offering a wide range of automatic car models, the first name that comes to mind is Maruti Suzuki.
Homegrown carmaker Maruti Suzuki offers its entire product portfolio with numerous, path-breaking automatic transmission technologies that enable convenient clutch- and gear-free driving. Maruti’s range of automatic transmissions consists of the Auto Gear Shift (AGS), alongside its proven four-speed torque converter automatic, the brand also launched an improved, new-generation six-speed torque converter gearbox for its latest models and among all these options, Maruti Suzuki also offers the option of an e-CVT automatic gearbox on the newly-launched Grand Vitara strong hybrid SUV. Let us now take a closer look at the revolutionary offerings of Maruti Suzuki.
Auto Gear Shift (AGS) Technology
Pioneered by Maruti Suzuki, the path-breaking Auto Gear Shift technology offers the convenience of an automatic, via its two-pedal technology, along with the fuel-efficiency of a manual transmission, a phenomenon that was made possible by Maruti Suzuki.
An AGS gearbox is fitted with an ‘Intelligent’ Shift Control Actuator, an electric-hydraulic actuator that automatically performs clutch and shift operations. Auto Gear Shift technology combines the actuator and controller and directly mounts them in the transmission to unify the working components. This permits synchronized control over the clutch, shifting, and engine for smoother gear changes. AGS automatically assesses the driving conditions to adjust the gear system, and automatic cars with the AGS technology can be driven in both manual and automatic modes.
Moreover, AGS technology is considerably more economical to produce compared to other kinds of automatic transmissions, so customers can enjoy the benefit of owning an automatic car without paying an additional premium for it. Currently, Maruti Suzuki offers eight models with the AGS gearbox – S-Presso, WagonR, Celerio, Ignis, Swift, Dzire, Baleno, and the Alto K10.
Four-Speed AT
For customers looking for a more premium experience with their automatic car, Maruti Suzuki offers its trustworthy four-speed torque converter automatic transmission that self-changes vehicle gear ratios, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. This technology offers immense comfort and performance to the consumers and offers a hill-assist function, which allows the driver to accelerate from a standstill on a hill climb without the car rolling backwards. Currently, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and S-Cross are the models that offer this gearbox.
New-Age Six-Speed AT
However, as the four-speed automatic gearbox has been around for some time, Maruti Suzuki decided it was time to take the next step and unveil a more evolved, more advanced version of it that offers better acceleration, better performance, and even more fuel efficiency. Thus, the new-age six-speed torque converter automatic transmission was introduced and to enhance its premium quotient, Maruti Suzuki also added an option of paddle shifters for an overall better driving experience. Currently, this gearbox is offered on the new Ertiga, Brezza, XL6 and the Grand Vitara mild-hybrid.
Why should you opt for the Maruti Suzuki Automatic?
Maruti Suzuki automatic cars come equipped with the most advanced transmission technologies that ensure complete driving comfort and convenience, even in peak traffic. So, here is a look at their three core advantages:
Ease & Comfort – The absence of a clutch pedal and no need of shifting gears makes automatic transmission cars by Maruti Suzuki a lot more comfortable and effortless to drive in different driving conditions.
Superior Performance – Maruti Suzuki has optimized its automatic transmission technologies in tune with the Indian driving conditions to ensure superior driving dynamics and performance.
Enhanced Fuel Efficiency – Along with ease of driving and superior performance, Maruti Suzuki has tuned its range of automatic transmission cars to deliver enhanced fuel efficiency as well.