Maruti Suzuki launched the all-new premium hatchback Baleno in late October and if early indications are anything to go by, the vehicle has generated quite a bit of interest among Indian car buyers. In fact, it has already received around 40,000 bookings so far.
The carmaker may consider introducing the more powerful 89bhp or 200 DDiS version of the 1.3 Fiat Multijet diesel in the Baleno at a later stage, a source in the company told Autocar India.
The Baleno is currently powered by Fiat-sourced 1.3 DDiS diesel, which is good for 73.9bhp and 19.3kgm of torque and Suzuki’s 1.2-litre K12 petrol engine making 83.1bhp and 11.7kgm of torque. Both engines come mated to five-speed gearboxes, with a CVT automatic gearbox option offered on the petrol variant.
The Baleno rivals market leader Hyundai i20 as well as the Honda Jazz. While the aggressive introductory price of Rs 4.99 lakh for the base petrol Sigma variant (ex-showroom, Delhi), going right up to Rs 8.11 lakh for the top-spec diesel variant, does give it an edge over the competition, a more powerful engine would certainly further enhance its value proposition.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
