New Delhi, June 3 (IANS): Automobile major Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday launched the diesel variant of its hatchback Celerio, which offers a mileage of 27.62 km per litre and is priced between Rs.4.65 lakh and Rs.5.71 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

"Celerio, powered by 'DDiS 125' engine, is India's most fuel efficient car. This is also the first diesel engine designed and developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation," said Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and chief executive, Maruti Suzuki.

"It (Celerio) is designed to offer a smooth drive and strengthens Celerio's reputation as a car that offers easy drive in cities as well as on highways."

According to the company, with the launch of Celerio diesel, the three most fuel efficient cars in India are all Maruti Suzuki brands like DZire's diesel variant and the premium sedan Ciaz's diesel powered version.

Celerio's petrol variant was launched in February 2014, and has sold over 95,000 units.

"Celerio has played a pivotal role in strengthening Maruti Suzuki's position in the lower hatchback segment," the company was quoted in a statement.

The company's share in the lower hatchback has shot up to 71 percent from 61 percent within a year of Celerio's launch.

The four-valve, two-cylinder 739 cc DDiS 125 engine is compact and light weight. The cylinder block is all made of aluminium.

The engine features a compact fuel distribution system and a turbocharger suited to a two-cylinder engine.

"By decreasing compression ratio and installing a large intercooler it (Celerio) has combined high torque in low RPM (rotations per minute) and fuel efficiency," the statement said.

The engine's low compression ratio, cooled exhaust gas re-circulation and intercooler technologies enable it to meet Bharat Stage IV emission norms.

The company added that its suppliers have together invested over Rs.900 crore towards development of DDiS 125 engine which has over 97 percent local parts.