The upcoming Toyota-badged Baleno will sit above the Etios in the lineup.
As part of the agreement between Toyota and Suzuki, the companies will share products with each other. It is a known fact that Toyota will be launching its own version of the Baleno and it has now come to light that the Toyota-badged Baleno will be launched as early as June 2019.
Toyota has been working on the premium hatchback and it is going to be slotted above the Etios in the company’s India line-up. The upcoming hatchback will be produced in Toyota’s plant in Karnataka. The vehicle has been codenamed A11 and suppliers have started supplying parts for the vehicle.
Coming to the looks of the vehicle, it will not be very different from the Maruti Baleno. However, it will get cosmetic changes like a redesigned grille, bumpers and lights more in line with Toyota vehicles from the outside. Expect the interiors to get some revisions too.
The Maruti Baleno is offered with multiple engine options. It gets the 1.2-litre K12B engine, the new 1.2-litre K12C DualJet engine, 1.0-litre BoosterJet engine in the RS and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. Expect the Toyota version to get only a petrol engine, most likely the K12C.
The joint venture between Toyota and Suzuki will also see the models like Ertiga, Ciaz and Vitara Brezza be supplied to Toyota for rebadging and selling them in the Indian and African Markets. The JV will also see the joint development of a C-segment MPV which will be supplied to Suzuki. Additionally, the companies will also work on making hybrid vehicles, local sourcing of components like engines and batteries. Toyota will also share its hybrid technology with Suzuki.
Suzuki along with Toshiba and Denso have invested in a battery plant in Gujarat already. The brands have also partnered for the European markets where Suzuki will be the small petrol engine supplier for Toyota and the Toyota RAV4 and the Corolla Estate will be sold by Suzuki in the European market.
2019 Toyota Baleno Launch
– Toyota has begun working on its version of the Baleno
– This is the first vehicle to be born out of the alliance
– The alliance will also see the joint development of a C-segment MPV
Source – AutocarIndia.com