Manufacturer Suzuki Production 2015–present | Also called Maruti Suzuki Baleno Class Supermini (B) | |
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Assembly India: Manesar (Maruti Suzuki) Designer Suzuki style centre Turin (Italy) | ||
The Suzuki Baleno is a compact car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki since 2015. Prior to this, the "Baleno" name had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus Crescent in numerous export markets.
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The car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, and was launched in India on October 24, 2015 and in Japan on March 9, 2016. It became available in Europe in April 2016 and in the Philippines is scheduled for 2017.
It is manufactured exclusively in India, by Maruti Suzuki, as a five-door hatchback. It is built on a newly-developed platform, that features a powertrain range of three options (for the international model): a new 1.0 l Boosterjet 3-cylinder direct-injection turbo petrol engine, a four-cylinder 1.2 l Dualjet petrol engine with SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) and a normal 1.2 l Dualjet petrol engine. There are two engine options for the Indian model: a 1.2 l four cylinder K-Series petrol engine and a 1.3 l four cylinder DDIS 190 diesel engine. The 1.0 l Boosterjet is yet to arrive in India. It is expected to launch till 3 March 2017 in the Baleno RS variant.
It was tested by Euro NCAP in April 2016, receiving a four-star overall safety rating. It offers standard frontal and side head and chest airbags, as well as forward collision warning with auto braking.
Other/unrelated versions
From 1995 to 2002, the Suzuki Baleno that was sold in Europe and Asia Pacific was a rebadged Suzuki Cultus Crescent. After the introduction of the Suzuki Aerio in 2001, the Baleno name was discontinued in Europe and Asia Pacific, and the name would be used only in Indonesia, where the Baleno was a rebadged Suzuki Aerio sedan, marketed as the Suzuki Baleno Next-G, sold from 2002 to 2007, and also a rebadged Suzuki SX4 sedan, marketed as the Suzuki Neo Baleno and then Suzuki Baleno SX4, that was sold from 2008 to 2010. The first generation Maruti Suzuki Baleno was also produced and sold in India until 2007.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Facelift
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is a hatchback passenger vehicle. Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese car maker Suzuki Motor Corporation, has launched the Baleno RS in the domestic car market of India on 3 March 2017. The new Baleno RS is the more powerful version of the Baleno premium hatchback model. The RS version of the hatchback has been equipped with a compact and powerful 1 Liter, 3-cylinder, BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine that makes it a sportier than the standard Baleno model. The new Baleno RS belongs to the premium hatchback segment of the Indian automotive market and is offered to be exclusively sold through Maruti Suzuki’s premium NEXA outlets across India like the standard Baleno version. While the new Baleno RS competes with the premium hatchback models in the Indian market such as the Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz, its powerful performance also puts it in competition with some other models in India which are called the hot hatchbacks, such as the Fiat Abarth Punto Evo and the Volkswagen Polo GT.
The Maruti Baleno RS was first displayed in India as a concept model at the 2016 Auto Expo, alongside the company’s mini crossover styled tallboy city car Ignis. The Baleno RS and the Ignis were supposed to launch by the end of 2016, but both the launches got pushed to early 2017, due to a lot of pending deliveries for the standard Baleno and the Vitara Brezza and production constraints. The standard Baleno premium hatchback model was launched in the Indian car market in October, 2015 and ever since has been highly popular and one of the bestselling car models from Maruti Suzuki India. The new Baleno RS version is being offered for sale in the Indian car market at Rs. 8.69 lakh (price ex showroom, New Delhi).
Engine
The primary attraction of the Baleno RS, which also actually sets it apart from its standard version, is the new Suzuki 1.0 liter BoosterJet K10C DiTC petrol motor that powers it. This 3-cylinder, Direct Injection Turbocharged petrol engine is new generation unit of the familiar K10 engines and has been specifically developed by Suzuki Motor Corp. for the export markets such as the UK. The standard Baleno version in the UK gets powered by this compact yet powerful engine, and it offers a maximum power output of 111 Bhp along with 170 Nm of peak torque in the UK spec. However, the same engine has been detuned for the Indian car market, and the India-spec Baleno RS offers a maximum power of 101 Bhp and a top torque of 150 Nm. Nevertheless, even after the detune, it is one of the most powerful hatchback from the house of Maruti Suzuki.
The Baleno RS continues to get equipped by the same 5-speed manual transmission gearbox that is offered in the standard version of the car. The manual transmission offers a very engaging drive experience in the new Baleno RS.
Exterior
As a sportier RS mode, the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS model come with some subtle exterior styling updates to differentiate itself with the stock model and to offer a more aggressive appeal. The Indo-Japanese auto maker has endowed the Baleno RS with powerful bi-xenon projector headlights and electrically operated Outside Rearview Mirrors. The other changes on the design perspective of the RS come in the form of a front splitter, new side skirts and a new design for its rear bumper, and RS badge at the rear to mark it apart. The car also comes with the same 16-inch alloy wheels of its regular counterpart, but they are painted black for the RS version. The RS also comes with the same 195/65 Apollo Alnac 4G tyres. On the whole, the new RS version looks the same as the regular Baleno with identical design language. However, the design updates of the Baleno RS do make it look more premium and attractive as compared to its standard counterpart, which is a very good looking car.
The new Baleno RS is based on a wheelbase that measures 2520 mm. The car is 3995 mm long, 1745 mm wide and 1510 mm high. Its dimensions are thus, identical to the standard Baleno hatchback. It offers a fuel tank capacity of 37 liters and comes with a boot space of 339 liters.
Exterior features of the Baleno RS include Chrome Finished Front Grille, Blacked Out B Pillar, Body Coloured Bumpers, A-Pillar in Glossy Black Finish, C Pillar in High Gloss Finish, Back door spoiler, Chrome Door Handles and Black Alloy Wheels.
Interior
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS comes with the same cabin design as that of the regular Baleno model. The hatchback gets a very well designed, spacious and comfortable car with a long list of creature comfort features. In terms of cabin design as well as equipment list, nothing changes on the RS, excepting new floor mats with RS logo on them.
The list of premium features on the Baleno RS include SmartPlay Infotainment System along with Smartphone Connect/Apple CarPlay, GPS Navigation System, Voice Recognition, Bluetooth Compatibility, Leather wrapped steering wheel, Front footwell illumination, illuminated Glovebox, Height adjustable driver seat, Front centre armrest with storage, Luggage room, illumination, Tilt & Telescopic power steering wheel with mounted controls, Automatic climate control, Remote keyless entry, Push start/stop with smart key, 60:40 Split rear seat, Projector Headlamps, Front Fog Lights, LED Daytime Running Lights, Follow Me Home Headlamps, etc.
Safety
The Baleno RS offered with all the crucial safety equipments for the overall safety and security of the occupants. The list includes Dual Front Airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Driver side seat belt reminder, Front seat belt pre-tensioners + force limiters, Reverse parking camera, Reverse parking sensors, Anti-theft security system and more.