Earlier this year, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno received a cosmetic makeover that introduced a tweaked front-end, new alloy wheels, an improved touchscreen infotainment system and more standard safety equipment. While the changes then were largely skin deep, Maruti Suzuki recently added two BS-VI-compliant petrol engines to the Baleno range. So, to know what you get for your money, we take a closer look at all that’s new.
An important point to note is that the sportier Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS continues to be offered, and the Baleno is available with a 1.3-litre diesel engine, too – but neither of these is BS-VI-compliant. These variants continue unchanged, but their prices have recently been hiked.
BS-VI-compliant petrol engines
The main highlight of the refreshed Baleno is the introduction of a new, BS-VI compliant K12C petrol motor named Dualjet that’s paired with Maruti Suzuki’s Smart Hybrid system. The existing 1.2-litre K12B engine has also been upgraded to meet the more stringent emission norms almost a year before they come into effect.
Maruti says the new engines have upgraded hardware, software and exhaust systems and claims this will bring about a reduction of 25 percent in Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.
Power output
What's interesting is that the upgraded K12B engine suffers a slight drop in total output. At 83hp and 113Nm, it churns out 1hp and 2Nm less than the BS-IV-compliant engine. This engine can be had with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox.
The new K12C Dualjet engine not only gets the same 1,197cc displacement as the K12B, but also packs ‘Dual VVT’ and ‘Smart Hybrid’ tech. Although it makes the same amount of torque as the K12B, it produces more power at 90hp, 7hp more than the K12B. The transmission on offer with this engine is a 5-speed manual.
Fuel efficiency
The power output of the K12B engine is not the only victim of the move to BS-VI regulations. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s fuel efficiency is rated at 21.01kpl for the K12B petrol engine when paired with the 5-speed manual, and 19.56kpl paired with the CVT, which is a drop of 0.39kpl and 1.84kpl, respectively, vis-à-vis the outgoing model’s 21.4kpl figure.
The K12C engine, however, shines in this department. The mild-hybrid system gives it idle start-stop and brake energy recuperation capabilities. As a result, the Baleno Dualjet Smart Hybrid’s fuel efficiency is rated at a significantly higher 23.87kpl, which will make it the most fuel-efficient variant in the Baleno line-up once the 1.3-litre DDiS200 diesel engine is phased out by April 2020.
Features
There are no modifications to the features list of the new Baleno. As it is, the top-spec Alpha trim comes decently equipped with LED projector headlights and DRLs, dual-tone alloy wheels, power adjustable and folding ORVMs, keyless entry and go, automatic climate control and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In terms of safety, the hatchback gets dual airbags, ABS, EBD, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminder, speed alert system and Isofix child seat anchorages as standard.
Price
The adoption of cleaner technology for the petrol engines brings a hike in Maruti Suzuki Baleno prices. The updated K12B variants are around Rs 12,000-20,000 more expensive than before, while the Dualjet versions (available only in the mid-spec Delta and Zeta trims) cost a significant Rs 89,000 more than the equivalent K12B variants.
Only time will tell if the cost-conscious Indian buyer will prefer the Baleno’s updated K12B petrol engine or takes a liking to the more fuel-efficient (albeit more expensive) Smart Hybrid version.
Think the Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s Smart Hybrid variant is more appealing than the standard K12B variant? Let us know in the comments.
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