As part of a presentation today in Japan, Suzuki previewed its new Wagon R tall mini that will benefit from the addition of a new mild-hybrid system named “ENE-CHARGE” (short for ‘energy charge’) and an energy-saving electric air conditioning system dubbed “ECO-COOL”
The Wagon R with ENE-CHARGE and ECO-COOL is scheduled to go on sale in Japan this September.
From what we were able to translate, the mild-hybrid system features a small displacement internal combustion engine equipped with an electric motor/generator and a lithium-ion battery.
The system employs regenerative braking and at least some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine while it can also run certain electrical equipment.
Suzuki said that it expects the car to return up to 28.8km/lt in Japan’s JC08 driving cycle (67.8mpg US, 3.5lt/100km or 81.4mpg UK).
More details – hopefully in English as well – are to be released in the coming weeks.
Thanks to i-Ryuji for the tip and the screen shots!
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO