Maruti’s plans for the festive season just got a lot more exciting. Word has just trickled in that the next blockbuster launch from the country’s number one car manufacturer is going to be none other than the Baleno hatchback.

The car has been unveiled at the Motor Show in Frankfurt that’s currently under way and the India launch is expected to be on 26th October. The Indian version is expected to stay true to the global one that’s been showcased with not many aspects being changed in the name of domestic-tweaks.

MAruti Baleno rear

Sporting all-new underpinnings, the Maruti Baleno makes the sub-four metre segment cut by just 5mm, at 3,995mm. At 1745mm the Baleno is wider than the Swift by over 50mm, with an overall height of 1,470mm. The 355 litre bootspace is on par for the class and should be adequate for those weekend trips with the family. Maruti is clearly positioning the Baleno above the popular Swift hatch, and the styling is in-line with the current Suzuki design language that can be seen on cars being sold around the world. The platform for the Baleno shall also be used for the YBA compact SUV as well as the Swift upgrade that is due in the coming years.

 

Maruti Baleno boot

The Maruti Baleno shall feature DRL’s or daytime running lamps along alongside the headlamps that have been positioned at the extreme ends of the hood. There’s also a chrome bottomed, signature Vee shaped grille that would ensure that no one mistakes the Baleno for anything other than a Suzuki.  Moreover, the Baleno hatchback shall be sold with LED taillights, making it a first ever for a Maruti product in India. Maruti have tried to give the Baleno some design flair in its profile view with a tapering roofline and wraparound windows, a-la Mercedes A-Class.

Maruti Baleno interior

On the inside, one is greeted by clean, uncluttered lines with silver accents to give it a bit of a luxurious feel. The market leader is also keen on stealing a march over the competition with an Apple Car Play infotainment system making its first ever appearance in a car sold in India. The HVAC controls promise to be an all-digital affair too.

Maruti Baleno interiors

 

International models would see a 110 Bhp, Boosterjet turbo-petrol with a 1.0 Litre displacement powering the Baleno. In India however, Maruti is expected to stick to the tried and tested combination of the 1.2 Litre petrol and the DDiS200 1.3 Litre engine. Reports are that the Boosterjet motor could be offered as an option to domestic customers at a later time. What’s interesting though is that Maruti could very-well offer a CVT gearbox option along with the Petrol variant of the Baleno while the Diesel motor would get the SHVS fuel-efficiency system.

With the launch mere weeks away, it is going to be mighty exciting to see the iconic Baleno badging make a comeback here in India.

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