Made in India Suzuki Baleno global launch in Frankfurt

The new Suzuki Baleno will take on the likes of Hyundai i20 Elite and Honda Jazz when it rolls out through Maruti’s NEXA showrooms this festive season.
 

The new Baleno is surely destined for better prospects than its namesake from 12-15 years ago and it is the most modern expression of Suzuki’s new design and engineering philosophy.

For starters it gets stuck right into the upper end of India’s booming premium compact hatchback segment where the likes of the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 rule the roost.

In its latest avatar, the Baleno is a large hatchback that's completely different from the sedan that appeared on our roads half a decade ago.

Among the various conveniences and creature comforts will be Apple's CarPlay infotainment system -- making it the first made in India car to do so.
 

Apart from a D13A diesel, the Baleno will be powered by the proven K12M petrol engine with either a 5-speed manual or an optional  CVT, another first for Suzuki in India.  
 

The new Baleno hatchback is compact yet pretty spacious, the packaging engineers having liberated a cavernous cabin from the 2520 wheelbase the car rides on without compromising on the luggage space. 

There is an all-new design language within the cabin as well and here among the various conveniences and creature comforts, the first adoption of Apple’s CarPlay in an Indian automobile is very welcome. 

 The all-new monocoque structure that is at the heart of this car is also one that will underpin many other Suzuki models that are planned for India. This would include the next generation Swift and a new compact SUV among others. 

Suzuki Motor Co. President Toshihiro Suzuki plans to roll out 20 new products until 2020, when the company celebrates its centenary.