The India bound Baleno hatchback has been unveiled by Suzuki at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car is to be positioned above the Swift in the Suzuki ladder and this will mark the company’s entry into the A+ global segment.
The car is likely to be seen in India by end 2015 and is to be sold through the NEXA showrooms. Manesar has already started producing the car and export too is likely to start soon.
The Baleno is to be launched in the European market with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder BoosterJet engine which delivers 92bhp in terms of power and 170Nm of torque as well as an option of a 1.2-litre four-cylinder DualJet mill that gives 88bhp of power along with 120Nm of torque.
For the Indian market, Maruti is expected to load the car with the 1.3-litre MultiJet engine in the DDiS 200 engine output.
The Baleno has the hallmark Suzuki design in terms of sweptback projector headlamps, V-shaped grille, flared wheel arches and rear sloping roofline. The rear also looks quintessentially Suzuki but comes with a more modern touch owing to the high bumper and chrome strip below the rear glass. The Baleno will be fairly large in dimension as well with a 2520mm wheelbase and 120mm in terms of ground clearance.
Likely to take on the Hyundai Elite i20, Nissan Micra, Honda Jazz, Fiat Punto Evo and the Volkswagen Polo, the Baleno will be one of the most anticipated Indian launches this year.
