Baleno will launch in early-2016 in Europe.
The Baleno, despite its European world premiere, will first go on sale in India later this month. According to reports, the Maruti Baleno will launch on October 26, and bookings have already started at NEXA outlets. The Suzuki Baleno for Europe on the other hand, is announced to have its launch in early-2016.
On the outside, the Indian and European models will look the same save for minor specification changes. The European model was showcased with diamond-cut alloy wheels, and is announced to get HID projector headlights. The Indian Baleno though will get 16-inch alloy wheels, unlikely to be diamond-polished, and regular projector headlights. The Indian Baleno could have a slightly higher ground clear
Inside, the differences between the European and Indian Baleno will be further accentuated. For Europe, Suzuki will offer the hatchback with adaptive cruise control with millimeter wave radar and a speed limiter, for enhanced comfort while cruising on motorways. This will not be offered on the Indian model however. A newspaper reported that the Indian government's move of unlocking low frequency bands for automotive radar application would immediately benefit the export-spec Baleno.
The Baleno for Europe boasts additional safety features such as a Radar Brake Support (with automatic emergency braking), ESP and six airbags (dual front+side and curtain) in addition to ABS and EBD. For India, the Baleno will get a maximum of two airbags, ABS and EBD, though it should be noted that these features will come even on the base variant, reportedly.
Also read: Suzuki Ignis revealed for Tokyo Motor Show
Finally, the European Baleno will be powered by the all-new 1.0-liter Boosterjet turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 110 hp and 170 Nm of torque. The Baleno for Europe will also get the 1.2-liter DualJet petrol engine with the SHVS micro-hybrid technology. In comparison, the Baleno for India will borrow its engines from the Swift: the 1.2-liter K-Series and the 1.3-liter DDiS diesel. The SHVS technology is likely to be offered on the diesel variant.
