Suzuki Baleno

Suzuki Baleno

Suzuki Baleno
Suzuki
aka	Toyota Glanza (India, 2019–present) Toyota Starlet (Africa, 2020–present)
Production	September 2015 – present
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Length	3990mm
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The Suzuki Baleno (Japanese: スズキ・バレーノ, Hepburn: Suzuki Barēno) is a subcompact hatchback produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki in India since September 2015.

Prior to this, the "Baleno" nameplate had been applied to the Cultus Crescent in numerous markets and also for sedan version of Aerio and SX4 in Indonesia. Unlike the previous generations of Baleno when it was offered as a sedan, wagon, or a 3-door hatchback, the model sold since 2015 is exclusively offered as a 5-door hatchback.

The word "baleno" means "lightning" in Italian.

First generation (WB; 2015)

The car was officially unveiled first to the public at the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September 2015. It was previewed by the iK-2 concept car that was first shown at the 85th Geneva Motor Show in March 2015.

The Baleno is built on the new lightweight HEARTECT platform, shared with the smaller Swift and Ignis hatchbacks. Baleno is the first vehicle from Suzuki to be underpinned with the newly developed platform. It has a luggage volume of 320–355 litres (with or without spare tyre), which can be expanded to 756 litres when the rear seats folded. The total interior volume is 1085 litres (VDA method). The "Liquid Flow" design has drag coefficient of Cd=0.299, making Baleno the most streamlined production Suzuki to date. The car has ground clearance between 120 to 170 mm depending on the market to suit the road conditions.

It is built on a powertrain range of K-series petrol engines: a new three-cylinder 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbocharged direct injection engine, a four-cylinder 1.25-litre Dualjet dual injector engine, which is also available with mild hybrid SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) technology. There is also 1.2-litre conventional petrol and mild hybrid engines mainly offered for Indian market and a 1.4-litre engine equipped for most regions outside Europe and India. A 1.25-litre Fiat-sourced turbodiesel engine is also available exclusively for Indian market.

Facelift

The facelifted Baleno was launched first in India on 28 January 2019. Suzuki redesigned the Baleno’s exterior with remodeled front bumper with new grille design and new 16-inch alloy wheels design with dual-tone colour. The interior also upgraded with a dual-tone black-and-blue colour scheme. The interior noise and ride comfort are also improved.

The facelifted model is not available in Europe, Japan and several other countries, after Suzuki decided to not continue selling Baleno in those markets in 2020 and focused on the more popular Swift.

Markets

Europe

The Baleno was announced first in Italy in December 2015, but the sales was postponed until April 2016. European market Baleno is powered by 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct injection turbocharged K10C Boosterjet petrol engine, generating 111 PS (109 hp; 82 kW) and a 1.25-litre four-cylinder dual injectors K12C Dualjet petrol engine, generating 90 PS (89 hp; 66 kW). Mild hybrid variant is also available for the 1.25-litre engine. Due to low sales, the Baleno was discontinued in Europe in December 2020.

United Kingdom

The Baleno was launched in the UK in June 2016 with two trim levels; SZ-T and SZ5. The cheaper SZ3 trim was added in April 2017. It was discontinued in August 2019 alongside the Celerio supermini.

Asia

India

The Baleno was introduced in India on 26 October 2015. Slots above the Swift, the hatchback was built to maximize interior space while retaining Indian tax benefit for vehicles with length dimension under 4 meters. The Baleno is exclusively sold through Maruti Suzuki’s premium NEXA outlets across India. The car is available in four trim levels - Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha.

There are three engine options for the Indian model: a four-cylinder 1.2-litre K12M petrol engine that generates 83 PS (82 hp; 61 kW) of power and 114 N⋅m (11.6 kg⋅m; 84 lb⋅ft) of torque, a four-cylinder 1.25-litre Multijet/DDiS 190 diesel engine that generates 75 PS (74 hp; 55 kW) of power and 190 N⋅m (19 kg⋅m; 140 lb⋅ft) of torque, and a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.0-litre K10C Boosterjet engine which is the same engine that is found in the European market Baleno. All the engines get a 5-speed manual as standard, while the K12M engine is offered with a CVT option (initially only available for Delta trim, followed by Zeta in April 2016 and Alpha in August 2017). All variants are equipped with dual airbags, ABS and EBD as standard.

A performance "warm hatch" variant for Indian market called Baleno RS ("Road Sport") was launched in March 2017. The Baleno RS was first displayed in India as a concept model at the 2016 Auto Expo, alongside the Ignis. The styling is almost similar to the 2015 iK-2 concept car. It is powered with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct injection Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine, generating 102 PS (101 hp; 75 kW) and paired with the same 5-speed manual transmission gearbox that was offered in the standard versions of the car. It was also provided with full-black alloy wheels (which was removed in the 2019 upgrade), disc brakes on all wheels (14 inch front and 13 inch rear) and tuned suspension. The Baleno RS was supposed to launch by the end of 2016, but the launches got pushed to the beginning of 2017, due to a lot of pending deliveries for the regular Baleno and the Vitara Brezza and production constraints.

The facelifted regular and RS models were introduced on 28 January 2019. A new model with a 1.2-litre K12N Dualjet dual injector petrol engine with mild hybrid technology which produces 90 PS (89 hp; 66 kW) was launched in April 2019, It is only available for Delta and Zeta trims and without CVT option.

The Baleno RS was discontinued in January 2020 after Maruti Suzuki decided not to upgrade the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine to meet the Bharat Stage 6 emission standards. Despite positive reviews from critics, the Baleno RS was not well received by the market despite multiple price cuts and readily available units at showrooms as compared to a long waiting period for the regular Baleno.

Japan

The Baleno began its sales in Japan on 9 March 2016. Initially, only base model XG with 1.25-litre K12C Dualjet four-cylinder petrol engine was available, followed by the more expensive XT with 1.0-litre K10C Boosterjet three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in May. In November 2016, the middle trim called XS was added with 1.25-litre engine and XG trim was axed later in December. To gain wider range of customers, the 1.0-litre turbocharged engine was reworked to be able to run with regular petrol octane (89–94 RON) in May 2018. This changes made the engine power and torque dropped from 111 PS (109 hp; 82 kW) and 160 N⋅m (16 kg⋅m; 120 lb⋅ft)[41] to 102 PS (101 hp; 75 kW) and 150 N⋅m (15 kg⋅m; 110 lb⋅ft). In July 2020, Suzuki stopped selling Baleno in Japan.

Indonesia

The hatchback was launched in the country on 10 August 2017 at the 25th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show. The Indonesian market Baleno is based on the India Baleno RS, the top-of-the-line variant of Baleno in India with sportier bumpers to suit the local taste, but lacks of 7 inch multimedia screen (available as option), rear view back camera, black coloured alloy wheels, rear disc brakes and 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. Instead of positioned above the Swift like in other markets, the car is marketed as the successor of second generation Swift and positioned above the smaller 1.2-litre Ignis. It is offered in one unnamed trim level with a four-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol engine inherited from Swift, generating 92 PS (91 hp; 68 kW) and 130 N⋅m (13 kg⋅m; 96 lb⋅ft), paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The Indonesian market Baleno received its facelift on 20 December 2019, once again based on the facelifted Baleno RS.

Taiwan

The hatchback was launched for Taiwanese market in March 2017. It is only available in sole unnamed trim, powered with a 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine and mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The sales was discontinued in October 2020 due to low sales.

Sri Lanka

The Indian market Baleno Zeta was introduced to the country in August 2016. The hatchback is powered with the same 1.2-litre petrol engine and only paired to a CVT. The facelifted model was introduced in June 2019, which is New Zealand specification Baleno. The hatchback is improved with projector LED headlights, 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, rear disc brake, six airbags, cruise control and several new features.

Latin America

Colombia

Colombian market Baleno was introduced to public in November 2016 at the Salón del Automóvil de Bogotá (Bogotá Motor Show), the hatchback is marketed as the Baleno Esteem. It is offered in two trim levels; GL and GLX. Only 1.4-litre engine available and mated either 5-speed manual for both trims or 4-speed automatic transmission for GLX. The GLX trim has six airbags and rear disc brakes.

In March 2020, the facelifted model arrived in the country and renamed to Baleno Cross. The GLX trim was deleted, leaving GL as the only trim. The car is now marketed with crossover styling with additional accessories such as roof rack, side body moulding, mud guards and new dual tone 16 inch alloy wheels.

Mexico

The Baleno was launched in Mexico on 4 June 2021. It is offered in two trim; levels GL and GLX. Powered with a 1.4-litre engine, and mated to either 5-speed manual or GLX only 4-speed automatic transmission.

Oceania

Australia

The car was launched in July 2016 with two trim levels; GL with 1.4-litre engine paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission and GLX with turbocharged 1.0-litre engine paired with 6-speed automatic transmission. In February 2019, the 1.0-litre turbocharged engine was replaced with 1.4-litre engine and 4-speed automatic transmission from GL trim. The "Series II" Baleno arrived in Australia in August 2019. To avoid the global semiconductor shortage, the 2022 model year Baleno (and Suzuki Australia's entire line-up) received new locally supplied 9-inch touch screen infotainment system without satellite navigation feature in October 2021.

New Zealand

The Baleno was announced in New Zealand on 27 July 2016. It is available in two trim levels; GLX and LTD. The car is only offered with a 1.4-litre engine and paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. A new trim level called RS was launched in June 2017, it comes with 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, 6-speed automatic transmission and rear disc brakes. The RS in New Zealand did not receive the Indian market Baleno RS styling.

The revised Baleno became available in August 2019. The RS trim now comes with LED projector headlights as standard and the deletion of LTD trim. A limited edition based on GLX trim called Baleno SE with additional LED projector headlights and 16 inch alloy wheels from RS plus several exterior accessories was launched in November 2020.

Africa

South Africa

The hatchback was launched to the country in November 2016. It is available in two trim levels; GL and GLX. All models are equipped with 1.4-litre petrol engine, paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The GLX trim received additional features such as LED headlight, six airbags, automatic air conditioning, chrome-finished door handles, leather-wrapped steering wheel and cruise control.

The facelifted model was announced in October 2019. The electronic stability program (ESP) became standard across the range since September 2020.

Toyota Glanza/Starlet

The facelifted Baleno is sold by Toyota as the Toyota Glanza, which debuted in India on 6 June 2019. The "Glanza" nameplate was previously used for the sports version of the Japanese market P90 series Starlet hatchback. The Glanza is offered in two trim levels - the Glanza G and V based on the Baleno's Zeta and Alpha trims respectively and also powered with the same 1.2-litre petrol engines. The Glanza is also sold in Africa under the Starlet nameplate and powered with a 1.4-litre petrol engine.

Safety

The European market Baleno was tested by Euro NCAP in April 2016, receiving three star overall safety rating for the basic version and a four star overall safety rating for the version with the extra "Radar Brake Support" security package. Same result as the Japanese-built Swift, which is also underpinned by the same platform. As standard, it offers six airbags (frontal, side and curtain), ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability program and hill-start assist.

Euro NCAP test results

Suzuki Baleno (standard) (2016)

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	30.8	80%
Child occupant:	36.1	73%
Pedestrian:	27.6	65%
Safety assist:	3	25%

Second generation (2022)

The second-generation Baleno hatchback was released in India on 23 February 2022. It is continued to be assembled at Suzuki's plant in Ahmedabad and will be exported to Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

Suzuki stated the hatchback as full model change with the marketing name "New Age Baleno", however it uses the previous model's underpinnings with major revisions. The exterior received new body panels, headlights, LED fog lights, taillights, smaller C-pillar window and wheels. For the interior, it comes with redesigned dashboard with a floating 9-inch LCD display, gauge cluster, refreshed steering wheel, plus additional new features such as rear air conditioning vents, fast charging USB ports, head-up display, 360° view camera, Amazon Alexa voice assistant support and improved NVH performance. The handling is also improved with all new suspension, new hydraulic clutch system and bigger front disc brake.

The hatchback continued to be powered by four-cylinder K engine family petrol engines. Indian market received the same 1.2-litre Dualjet engine from the previous model, while the export model gets bigger 1.5-litre engine replacing the old 1.4-litre unit.

Toyota Glanza/Starlet

The second-generation Baleno-based Glanza was launched on 15 March 2022 with four trim levels: E, S, G and V. Unlike the previous model, the Glanza received differentiated front fascia, alloy wheels, and dual tone black-beige interior colour. The mechanical and equipment levels are identical to the Baleno. The second-generation Glanza is also sold in Africa under the Starlet nameplate since May 2022 and powered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine.

Other versions

Main articles: Suzuki Cultus Crescent, Suzuki Aerio, and Suzuki SX4

From 1995 to 2002, the Suzuki Baleno that was sold in Europe and Asia Pacificwas a rebadged Suzuki Cultus Crescent. After the introduction of the Suzuki Aerio in 2001, the Baleno nameplate was discontinued in Europe and Asia Pacific, and the nameplate would be used only in Indonesia, where the Baleno was a rebadged Suzuki Aerio sedan, marketed as the Suzuki Baleno Next-G, sold from 2002 to 2007, and also a rebadged Suzuki SX4 sedan, marketed as the Suzuki Neo Baleno and then Suzuki Baleno SX4, that was sold from 2008 to 2010. The first generation Maruti Suzuki Baleno was also produced and sold in India until 2007.

Sales

Year	India	Europe	Indonesia	Australia	Mexico
2015	23,875
2016	107,066	14,521
2017	175,209	18,518	2,140
2018	210,236	15,530	5,453
2019	183,863	14,429	5,216	2,277
2020	153,986	2,296	2,421	3,326
2021	172,237		2,724	3,896	1,435

Gallery

First generation

This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Suzuki Baleno. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Autopedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.