Maruti Suzuki has updated the NEXA website with a teaser image of the Baleno. The specifications of the hatchback are out and bookings have started.
The premium hatchback space has been witnessing growing sales with the Hyundai Elite i20 and the Honda Jazz doing well for themselves. Now Maruti Suzuki has decided to grab a share of this pie and will be launching the Baleno this month. With not much time remaining for the launch, the specifications of the car have come out along with the variant-wise features breakup and NEXA dealers have started accepting booking. Yes, the premium hatchback will be sold only via NEXA outlets which currently sell the S-Cross.
The naming of the variants of the Baleno is similar to that of the S-Cross with which it will share showroom space. So customers will have a choice of four variants – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. The engine options on the hatchback will be two which include the 1.2-litre petrol motor producing 84 PS of power and 115 Nm of torque while the 1.3-litre diesel engine producing 75 PS of power and 190 Nm of torque. The petrol engine will also come with an option of CVT gearbox in the Delta trim to keep the asking price low.
Standard features for all the variants include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, front power windows, central locking and gear shift indicator. The variants higher than the base one get multiple additional features listed below.
Baleno Delta
* Climate control AC
* Electronically foldable and adjustable ORVMs with integrated indicators
* Rear parking sensors
* Rear wiper and defogger
* Bluetooth infotainment system
* Steering mounted audio controls
* Rear power windows
* 60:40 split rear seats
Baleno Zeta
* Telescopic adjustable steering
* Leather wrapped steering and gear knob
* Height adjustable drivers seat
* Auto dimming IRVM
* LED DRLs
* Auto headlights with follow-me-home function
* Keyless entry and go system
* Front fog lights
* 16 inch alloy wheels
Baleno Alpha
* Projector headlights
* Reverse parking camera
* Co-driver vanity mirror lamp
* Touchscreen infotainment system with navigation
The inclusion of safety features as part of the basic feature set is a welcome move from Maruti Suzuki. However, the engine power figures sound disappointing especially the diesel one. They could have easily plonked the 90 PS version of the 1.3-litre DDiS engine but they haven’t done it. We feel this might cause trouble for the carmaker since premium hatchback buyers do look at the power ratings. Bookings for the hatchback are open at NEXA dealerships across India.
