 "Maruti Baleno")
Car market leader Maruti Suzuki unwrapped its premium hatchback Baleno, with a starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), pitting it directly against the reigning segment leader Hyundai Elite i20.
The diesel version will be available at Rs 6,16,000.
Available in two engine options spread across nine variants (five petrol and four diesel), the Baleno is Maruti Suzuki's second attempt at cracking the premium end of the market after launching the S-Cross in August.
The Baleno uses a Suzuki-developed 1.2-litre petrol engine that returns a mileage of 21.4 kmpl and a 1.3-litre Fiat-Suzuki developed diesel engine that returns a mileage of 27.39 kmpl, thus making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on sale in India.
The all new #Baleno packed with great features starts from Rs. 499,000 only pic.twitter.com/EqE3upjczq
— Nexa Experience (@NexaExperience) October 26, 2015
The five-seater, five-door hatchback is priced above the Swift, one of Maruti's best selling hatchbacks but below the S-Cross. Both the S-Cross and the Baleno are being sold through the Nexa branded premium outlets of Maruti Suzuki. The Baleno is Maruti's answer to those customers who wanted the sporty handling and performance of the Swift in a bigger and more premium hatchback.
The price (ex-showroom, Delhi) of the diesel model of all new #Baleno starts at Rs. 6,16,000 only pic.twitter.com/dzXnub2yZB
— Nexa Experience (@NexaExperience) October 26, 2015
High-end variants of the Baleno get large alloy wheels, chrome handles and chrome lining along the bottom edge of the side-windows. In addition, the swooping roof and slightly rising window line give the Baleno a sporty look.
The rear is dominated by swooping large tail-lamps with design elements which do not look very different from the now fazed out Kizashi. A spoiler with a high-mounted stop-lamp and a thick chrome strip along the bottom of the rear-windshield are also available. Steering mounted audio and and voice controls are some of the comforts.
Design language of the Baleno is quite unlike that seen on other traditional Maruti Suzuki cars. Based on a new generation platform, the Baleno carries a modern, stylish and sporty look. The styling philosophy seen on this car is branded as 'liquid flow' by Maruti, which is not dissimilar to Hyundai's very own 'Fluidic Design' concept.
#Baleno is the first car in India to feature Apple Car Play - Mr. C.V. Raman, ED, Engineering, MSIL. pic.twitter.com/DOc7xizLuf
— Nexa Experience (@NexaExperience) October 26, 2015
In fact a look at the comparison chart shows that Maruti has pitched the Baleno head-on with the Hyundai i20 Elite, which clocks between 9,000-11,000 units every month. Both use a near identical size petrol engine that churn out almost equal power.
The areas where Maruti has paid attention is the bootspace, which at 355 litre, not only beats its Hyundai counterpart but it also the best in the segment. Mileage of the i20 Elite (petrol) at 16.31kmpl fares poorer compared to the Baleno.
It’s the only car in its segment that offers dual airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) as standard features on both petrol and diesel variants.
With this launch, Maruti has brought back the Baleno brand, which was also the brand that looked to strengthen Maruti's position in the sedan space after the Esteem. The Baleno sedan, launched in India in 1999, however, met with limited success before being phased out in 2007. Maruti launched the SX4 sedan as a replacement of the Baleno which itself got replaced by the Ciaz.
| Content | Honda Jazz | Hyundai Elite i20 | Fiat Punto Evo | Nissan Micra | VW Polo | New Ford Figo | Maruti Baleno |
| Engine (cc, petrol) | 1199 | 1197 | 1172 | 1198 | 1198 | 1196 | 1197 |
| Peak Power (ps) | 90@6000 | 83@6000 | 67.1@6000 | 76@6000 | 75@5400 | 88@6300 | 84@6000 |
| Torque (nm) | 110@4800 | 11.7kgm@4000 | 96@2500 | 104@4000 | 110@3750 | 112@4000 | 115@4000 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2530 | 2570 | 2510 | 2450 | 2469 | 2491 | 2520 |
| Bootspace (litre) | 354 | 285 | 280 | 251 | 294 | 257 | 355 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 165 | 170 | 185 | 154 | 165 | 174 | 170 |
| Length (mm) | 3955 | 3985 | 3987 | 3825 | 3971 | 3886 | 3995 |
| Width (mm) | 1694 | 1734 | 1687 | 1665 | 1682 | 1695 | 1745 |
| Height (mm) | 1544 | 1505 | 1495 | 1530 | 1469 | 1525 | 1470 |
| Fuel tank (litre) | 40 | 45 | 45 | 41 | 45 | 42 | 37 |
| Mileage (kmpl) | 18.7 | 16.31 | 15.8 | 18.44 | 16.47 | 18.16 | 21.4 |
| Price (Delhi, base variant) | 534,900 | 536,475 | 499,368 | 532,679 | 533,400 | 429,900 | 4,99,000 |
