Maruti Suzuki India Limited has launched the much-awaited new generation of its popular premium hatch, the Baleno in the market. The company says the car is equipped with a host of class leading technology, safety, comfort & convenience features. It also sports NEXA’s new signature Crafted Futurism design language and is in fact the first car from the brand to do that. The company has launched the car with both Petrol and Automatic variants.
New age Baleno.
Auto Gear Shift
Baleno interior
Smartplay Pro Infotainment system.
LOOKS
The new Baleno gets a wider, stronger and more dynamic stance with bold shoulder and sharp character lines. Be it the projector headlamps or the signature DRLs that come with it or even the bumper and the grille everything is new on the car. The car gets redesigned 16-inch alloys that add to the stance while the highlight on the rear are the new split tail lamps that make it look more premium. The road presence has certainly gone up on this new Baleno. It is available in an array of 6 colours, featuring the New NEXA Blue along with four other new shades.
INTERIORS
The decorative accents in piano black, premium metallic grey accentuation on the dashboard, cockpit-style AC switches, and chrome rings on meters are all new on the Baleno. It gets many segment-first features that include a Head Up Display (HUD) and 360 View Camera. The former allows drivers to drive without taking eyes off the road by displaying critical information like speed, RPM, fuel economy, and other pertinent notifications in a way that does not disturb the attention of the driver from the road. The 360 View Camera on the other hand, is equipped with the latest ‘approaching object detection’ feature that can sense the presence of moving objects on the screen. It enables the driver to make more informed decisions while parking or manoeuvring the vehicle at tight spots. Additionally, front views can also be used for driving up to 10 km/h.
The new Baleno comes with a 22.86 cm (9”) SmartPlay Pro+ Infotainment system. It comes with a High-Definition display, intuitive user interface with Voice Assist. It also boasts of premium sound acoustic tuning through “Surround Sense” powered by ARKAMYS, offering signature ambiences created to suit various moods. The next-gen telematics system Suzuki Connect comes as an in-built feature in the Baleno. It offers over 40+ features for vehicle safety & security, trips & driving behaviour, status-alerts and remote operations through all new Suzuki Connect App.
ENGINE
The new Baleno is equipped with the Advanced K- Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine that offers 113Nm@4400rpm and peak power of 66kW@6000rpm. Combined with Idle Start-Stop technology it offers an impressive fuel-efficiency of 22.35 km/l for the manual transmission variant and 22.94 km/l for the AGS variant. Yes, you read that right, along with the 5-speed manual the Baleno now gets the Auto Gear Shift transmission instead of CVT which Maruti says offers an improved, immersive drive experience.
SAFETY
The new Baleno is built on Suzuki’s signature HEARTECT platform. Maruti says extensive usage of high tensile & ultra high tensile steel has offered the required strength to the body. The higher variants of the car are also equipped with 6 airbags (driver, co-driver, side and curtain) while it also gets ESP and Hill Hold Assist. As standard across all variants the new Baleno offers dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Driver & co-driver seat belt reminders, rear parking sensors & high-speed alert system.
CUSTOMISATION
There are two specially curated accessory packages being offered on the new Baleno. The ELEGRANDE collection is designed to enhance premium and futuristic look with premium metallic finishes and textured combinations with key accessories such as front bumper garnish, body side moulding with stylish inserts, rear bumper garnish, all-weather 3D mats, seat cover, interior styling kit, illuminated door sill guard and more. The NOVO-SPIRIT collection builds on spirited feel with a tasteful blend of youthful energy that comes with a dark colour scheme and champagne accents with key accessories such as front & rear skid plate, upper grille garnish, body side moulding with stylish inserts, roof end garnish, bumper corner protectors, premium mats, seat cover, interior styling kit, twin colour door sill guard and more.
PRICES
The new Baleno has been launched at a starting price of Rs. 6.35 lakh (ex-showroom) which goes up to Rs. 9.49 lakh for the top trim. In all there are 7 variants on the car 4 of which are manual and 3 are Automatic. You can also choose to subscribe to the car, monthly rates for which start at Rs. 13,999.
The writer is Senior Editor at carandbike.com