All-new Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Bold looks with sophisticated technology

Introduction

The New Age Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been a superhit right from word go, so much so that the premium hatchback has outsold every other car in India to top the sales charts for many months. Always a hot seller, the all-new model had big shoes to fill in. It has done it with aplomb, thanks to a series of advancements to the car in terms of looks, safety, technology and features. Here’s what makes the New Age Baleno the best buy in India’s premium hatchback segment.

Also read: 10 FORGOTTEN ‘Station Wagons’ Of India: Tata Indigo Marina to Maruti Baleno Altura

Bold looks

The New Age Baleno gets a slew of design changes that make it look edgier than ever before. The Liquid Flow design of the new Baleno starts off with the NEXWave grille and a chrome strip, which give the car a wide, bold stance. The eye-catching LED Projector Headlamps with NEXTre’ LED DRLs and Rear Combination Lights add a dose of premium-ness while the 16-inch precision-cut alloy wheels add sportiness to the New Age Baleno’s profile.

Packed to the gills with technology

The style and sophistication that the bold-new Baleno carries on the outside makes its way into the interiors of the premium hatchback as well. The first thing that pops out in the dual-tone cabin of the bold-new Baleno is the segment-leading SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment feature that offers a host of high-tech features such as Suzuki Connect, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Information, connectivity and entertainment.- the bold-new Baleno has it all.

Suzuki Connect is a best-in-segment connected car feature that allows vehicle tracking, sends out emergency alerts, offers vehicle diagnostic information and also lets the owner access the car through a smartphone and a smartwatch.

Then there’s the cutting-edge Head Up Display (HUD) that pops out in the New Age Baleno’s tech-laden cabin – it is another best-in-segment feature. The HUD beams out relevant driving information and helps the driver keep eyes on the road.

Another segment leading feature in the all-new Baleno is a 360 View Camera, which makes parking the car an absolute breeze. The 360 View Camera gives the driver a bird’s eye view of the car, which makes maneuvering the car in tight spaces very simple.

The Surround Sense powered by ARKAMYS is the finishing touch to the New Age Baleno’s classy cabin. It offers a richness and clarity previously seen only in luxury cars, thus making the all-new Baleno an audiophile’s delight.

Safer than ever

A host of active and passive safety features work in tandem to keep the New Age Baleno and its passengers safe and secure. Active safety features include ABS with EBD, ESP, Hill Hold Assist, rear parking assist sensors and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. As for passive safety features, the New Age Baleno offers six airbags, seat belt reminder, speed alerts and the sturdy HEARTECT body that gives the car great stiffness and structural strength. To sum it up, the New Age Baleno is a supremely safe car.

Thoughtful as ever

The New Age Baleno is one of the most practical premium hatchbacks money can buy in India, and much of it has to do with the various thoughtful bits that have been integrated into the car. Features that greatly enhance passenger comfort and convenience include rear charging points with both A and C USB ports. Rear AC vents, seats that are very spacious, great legroom to really stretch out, and a 318-litre boot that can accommodate an entire family’s luggage. Cruise control is also on offer, and it greatly reduces driver fatigue on the highway.

A hoot to drive, both in the city and on the highway

Talking of driving, the all-new Baleno is powered by a 1.2 liter K12N petrol engine that pumps out 82 Bhp of peak power and 113 Nm of peak torque for exhilarating performance. The engine is a cutting-edge unit with DualJet and Dual VVT technologies that not only offer thrilling performance but also manage to boost fuel efficiency. City slickers will love the new Baleno’s AGS (auto gear shift) technology that makes city driving effortless and extremely convenient. On the highway, the slick-shifting 5-speed manual gearbox that’s also available with the car offers quick overtakes and a sporty driving experience. The K12N petrol motor is also equipped with the fuel-saving ISS (Idle Start-Stop) function, and this gives it fantastic fuel efficiency: 22.35 Kmpl for the MT trims and 22.94 Kmpl for the AGS trims.

Thrilling performance, exceptional mileage, thoughtful features, bold looks and a tech-packed cabin. That’s the All-new Maruti Suzuki Baleno for you!

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500