Maruti Suzuki Baleno - More Then Meets The Eye

Maruti Suzuki has launched the new generation Baleno to take on the likes of the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz. So what does it offer apart from an inviting price tag? We find out

- Rahul Ghosh

Ever since its launch, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been doing well in the Indian market. This is in spite Il of the fact that the Baleno was being sold out of the Nexa chain of premium dealerships. But over the years, the Baleno had started showing its age and a thorough update was the call of the day and now Maruti Suzuki has done exactly that.

The Baleno comes in with a new design philosophy. The front end gets a new grille and the headlights are projector types. The LED DRLs feature a new design which going forward will be common amongst Nexa products. The bumper too is new and houses the fog lights. The bonnet line has changed as well and reminds us of the Tata Altroz. In profile not much has changed apart from the new 16in alloys. At the back, the taillights are redesigned and feature LEDs. A section of the console now sits on the tailgate too. There is a new chrome strip at the back and then there is the redesigned bumper. Maruti Suzuki tells us that this is the new generation Baleno and this particular version has nothing in common with the older car.

The dash is all new and houses a Sin touch screen infotainment system. The climate control system now features toggle buttons.

The HUD is well integrated and clear to the eye.

The 5-speed MT is a slick shifter and the clutch is light too

The Baleno is based on the company's Heartect platform which has been heavily reworked. Hence the suspension is all new and special work has gone into the NVH packaging as well. The new Baleno is 3,990mm long, 1,745mm wide, and 1,500mm high. Compared to the older car, the new version then is 5mm shorter and sits 10mm lower. When it comes to kerb weight, the new Baleno is also marginally heavier as compared to the older car.