By S.M. Boothem

The Baleno, a premium hatchback, was first launched in India in 2015 and was exclusively sold in Maruti Suzuki’s premium Nexa outlets across the country.  Over the years, Baleno has gone through various cosmetic changes to suit the taste of customers. The Baleno has sold over 10 lakh units since its launch (the fastest in the segment to reach this milestone) and is one of the major contributors to the sales volumes of Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the passenger vehicles (PV) segment in the country. 

Maruti Suzuki recently introduced its completely new look Baleno with many firsts in the segment: technologically advanced features include a head-up display (HUD) which allows the customer to drive without taking their eyes off the road by displaying critical information like speed, RPM, fuel economy, and other pertinent notifications. The 360-degree view camera helps in parking and manoeuvring the vehicle. 

In terms of safety, there is no compromise from the carmaker. The new Baleno comes with six airbags and an electronic stability program (ESP) with hill hold assist and high-speed alert, to name a few. It is powered by the advanced K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine with Idle Start-Stop technology and is available in 5-speed Manual (MT) and improved Auto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission. The new Baleno has been launched in India for both Indian and global markets. 

 “Baleno is amongst the top five best-selling cars in the industry since launch. Over 1 million delighted Baleno customers in India and across 100+ countries of the world have appreciated it for design and performance. The new age Baleno is our new approach towards the future. With a focus on technology and innovation, the new age Baleno is set to re-energise the premium hatchback segment with several first-in-segment features. The new-age technology and features along with a fresh look, premium interiors and a special focus on safety will take the customer experience to a new high,” said Kenichi Ayukawa, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited at the global premiere.  “With our suppliers, Maruti Suzuki has invested over Rs1,150 crores on this full model change. We are confident that the new age Baleno will continue to win more hearts and scale even greater heights,” he added. 

The carmaker’s new theme, ‘Crafted Futurism’ signifies the Nexa’s endeavour to create the cars of tomorrow, with the new Baleno as the first model to feature under this theme. A work of art inspired by the future, the design language is exclusively crafted to match the refined tastes of Nexa customers under the three pillars – Nexpression, Nextech and Nexperience. In our test drive, we experimented on several features introduced by Maruti Suzuki in the new Baleno and were pleasantly surprised with its ease of operation. 

The features define safety and connectivity with the car at all times for the customer. Around 25 per cent of the population in the country is under 30 years and keeping this in mind, the carmaker has succeeded in meeting the aspirations of young and tech-savvy customers.