Update - The precursor to the Baleno, the Suzuki iK-2 concept, has been presented at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS 2015) today. The iK-2 world premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and was presented to the Chinese audience at Auto Shanghai in April. This could be the last outing for the concept for Suzuki has confirmed the Baleno's world premiere at the IAA 2015 on September 15.
Powered by a new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder ‘Boosterjet’ petrol engine.
Suzuki will debut the Baleno hatchback at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15. The premium hatchback is the production-ready version of Suzuki's iK-2 concept that was shown at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Autocar UK reports that the premium hatch will be seen in UK showrooms only by summer of 2016.
The Suzuki Baleno’s design and dimensions are strongly identical to that of the concept, making it longer, and wider than the Suzuki Swift hatch. It is built on Suzuki’s next-gen platform and has been optimized for fuel efficiency and dynamic performance by emphasizing on weight reduction. This has been done keeping in mind the size and weight requirements that are specific to compact cars.
Powering the 2016 Baleno will be a new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder, direct injection ‘Boosterjet’ petrol engine that has been tuned for better fuel efficiency. Other two choices are likely to be a 1.25-liter K-Series petrol and 1.3-liter DDiS diesel unit. Suzuki has said that a SHVS mild hybrid system will also be offered, though not at launch. It's unclear if the Baleno will get a 4x4 drive system offered in the Euro-spec Suzuki Swift.
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Although it's not confirmed, the Euro-spec Suzuki Baleno is likely to equip safety features found in the smaller Swift, which include 7 airbags, ESP, TPMS, ABS with EBD, and Hill Hold (automatic transmission only).
In India, we're not sure if Maruti Suzuki will re-intrduce the Baleno tag for the Maruti YRA. The premium hatch will be available to Indian buyers sooner than their European counterparts, as its launch will happen by the end of this year. It will also be the third model sold through Maruti’s premium Nexa showrooms, along with Maruti Ciaz and the recently launched Maruti S-Cross crossover.
[Source: Autocar UK]
