Bengaluru: Maruti Suzuki India Limited has introduced the Stunning New Baleno, bringing a refreshed design, first-in-segment Level 2 ADAS, ventilated front seats and a new Advanced Z12E powertrain to its premium hatchback. Bookings are now open at INR 11,000, while prices start at INR 6,09,900, ex-showroom.
Positioned under the company’s Nexa retail channel, the updated Baleno has been launched with the theme “Dare to go Glam”, aimed at young urban buyers looking for a mix of style, technology and everyday practicality. In other words, Maruti Suzuki wants the hatchback to look sharper, feel cooler and, quite literally, keep its front-seat occupants cooler too.
The biggest update is the introduction of Level 2 ADAS, a first-in-segment feature, according to the company. The system uses a radar and camera combination and includes Advanced Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, High Beam Assist, Vehicle Sway Warning and Forward Collision Warning.
Introducing the Stunning New Baleno, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The Baleno has been a definitive pillar for Nexa and the premium hatchback segment over the course of a decade. The Stunning New Baleno is now here to redefine customer expectations with the introduction of segment-first features including Level 2 ADAS, and an unmistakable new identity established with a modern rendition of the signature NexWave grille. The Stunning New Baleno’s ‘Dare to go Glam’ philosophy is formed around the ambitious, young customers of today who dare to challenge the norm and express their individuality in an unapologetically original manner.”
On the design front, the Stunning New Baleno gets a new front fascia led by an all-new NexWave grille. The wide grille features prominent 3D patterns and horizontal chrome slats, giving the hatchback a broader and more assertive road presence.
The updated front end is complemented by a sculpted bumper, a new lower grille design, chrome accent fender garnish, NexTre’ LED DRLs and a shark fin antenna. Maruti Suzuki has also introduced a new Enigmatic Teal colour shade, taking the total number of colour options to seven.
Safety has been given a major push under what the company calls the Nexa Safety Shield. Apart from ADAS, the Baleno comes with six airbags, Electronic Stability Program, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Stop Signal, Hill Hold Control, Reverse Parking Sensors, 3-Point Seat Belts and Seat Belt Reminders. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System has also been added.
Inside, the Stunning New Baleno receives a dual-tone cabin with piano black inserts. The highlight is the addition of ventilated front seats with plush leatherette upholstery, another first-in-segment feature claimed by the company. For Indian summers, this is less of a luxury and more of a diplomatic peace treaty between driver and weather.
The hatchback also gets a Premium Sound System by Clarion, a Qi-certified wireless smartphone charger with active cooling, a 360 View Camera system and a Head Up Display. The 22.86 cm, or 9-inch, SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system offers a high-definition display along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Maruti Suzuki has also equipped the Baleno with Suzuki Connect, which offers more than 40 connected-car features covering vehicle safety and security, trip information, driving behaviour, status alerts and remote operations through the Suzuki Connect app.
Powering the Stunning New Baleno is the Advanced Z12E engine, producing 61 kW at 5,700 rpm and 112.4 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine comes with Idle Start-Stop technology and Dual VVT, and is offered with 5-speed manual and Auto Gear Shift automatic transmission options.
The company claims a fuel efficiency of 23.80 km/l for the manual variant and 24.77 km/l for the AGS version. These figures represent improvements of 6.4 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively, over the predecessor. The Baleno S-CNG, powered by the Z12E engine and paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, delivers a claimed efficiency of 33.61 km/kg, an improvement of 9.8 percent over the earlier model.
Maruti Suzuki is also offering two accessory packages with the New Baleno. The Elegrande Collection focuses on premium exterior elements for a more sophisticated look, while the Novo-Spirit Collection is designed for buyers seeking a more contemporary and individual styling package.
With the latest update, Maruti Suzuki is attempting to strengthen the Baleno’s position in the premium hatchback segment by combining sharper styling, more safety technology and improved fuel efficiency. For a model that has been a key pillar of Nexa for a decade, the new Baleno’s brief appears clear: stay familiar enough for loyalists, but glamorous enough to keep the competition checking its mirrors.
