Upcoming Maruti Suzuki Baleno Cross (YTB): Production-ready model spotted testing

With every passing day, the anticipation for Maruti Suzuki Baleno Cross is increasing. The next big offering from Maruti Suzuki, which is internally called YTB, is touted to be a sub-four metre compact crossover based on the premium hatchback Baleno. The test mules of the new Baleno Cross are repeatedly being spied on trial runs on the Indian roads, with every new video or picture revealing newer details about the upcoming video. Here’s a new spy video of the test mule of Baleno Cross, indicates new design highlights of the upcoming crossover.

 

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In an Instagram video uploaded by Gaadiwaadi, we can see a fully camouflaged test mule of the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno Cross. While the test car is camouflaged heavily, there are several design elements of the crossover evident through the wraps. For starters, the new Baleno Cross looks like a scaled-down version of the recently-launched Grand Vitara, as evidenced by the front fascia. Here, the Baleno Cross gets a wide front grille, which has the same layout and inserts as seen in the Grand Vitara. Like the Grand Vitara, the Baleno Cross also gets split all-LED headlamps, which are also visible through the wraps.

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The side profile of the new Baleno Cross test mule has squared wheel arches, slim roof rails and high ground clearance, which make it look different from its hatchback counterpart. However, the machined alloy wheels, door and window panels and front and rear fenders look inspired by the Baleno hatchback. The Baleno Cross also gets the same door-mounted rearview mirrors as the hatchback version, which come integrated with cameras on them, indicating that the Baleno Cross will come equipped with a 360-degree parking camera.

An all-new rear-end

At the rear too, the Baleno Cross looks massively different from the Baleno hatchback and seems to be heavily inspired by the Grand Vitara. Elements like stretched tail lamps with extended contours on the corners and revised housing for the license plate on the boot lid make us feel that it will have a Grand Vitara inspiration at the back too. To make it look more rugged, expect the Baleno Cross to have front and rear silver skid plates. Also, it will have the same dashboard layout with a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system like the Baleno hatchback, however, this new crossover version might get different upholstery and trim options.

While there are no details about the powertrain of the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Baleno Cross, expect it to get the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated K15C Dualjet 103 PS petrol engine. However, some reports are suggesting that it might mark a comeback of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet turbocharged 100 PS petrol engine from the Baleno RS. The Baleno Cross, in all likelihood, will be offered with both 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options and will see a world debut at the Auto Expo 2023.

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