The Maruti made model debuted in India last week but Suzuki South Africa has given us some more information on local derivatives as the Baleno breaks cover on South African shores.
Affordable automaker Suzuki has been on an upward trend of sales and managed to set some personal best figures throughout last year. The extensively updated Suzuki Baleno will be available on sales floors from June and the platform-shared Toyota collaboration is intended to keep the updated B-segment hatch relevant for a few more years with a new engine and more tech.
Using the shell of its predecessor as a basis, the front, rear and interior of the new Japanese hatch have been significantly redesigned using more horizontal exterior linework to allude to a wider vehicle. Suzuki claims that the use of high-tensile steel on the 955kg model also allows the model to achieve improved suspension comfort and more direct steering.
Toyota let their fellow Japanese counterparts take the limelight first on this one but we can expect a very similar looking Starlet model with a Toyota badge replacing the ‘S’ of Suzuki.
The previously employed 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol has been replaced by Suzuki’s newer K15B 1.5-litre powertrain with the same amount of cylinders. This unit comes with a maximum of 77 kW and 138 N.m which is a 9 kW and 8 N.m improvement over its predecessor.
While the Indian market will receive four trim levels, we will only get the familiar GL and GLX grades, both festooned with features and tech. Each derivative will be available with a manual and torque converting four-speed transmission.
On the interior, the entry-level GL model includes a 7-inch infotainment system while the GLX boasts a 9-inch. All models sold will include electric windows, a leather-covered multi-function steering wheel, airbags for the front occupants and safety features like ABS and ESP stability control.
The GL also comes with cruise control, hill-hold control, automatic climate control and two USB sockets while the top spec GLX will receive a HUD, 360-degree view camera and six airbags. The exterior of the GLX will also be differentiated by LED headlights and fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The colours our market will receive will include the existing Arctic White Pearl and Midnight Black Pearl while five additional choices are available; Opulent Red Pearl Metallic, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Luxe Beige Pearl Metallic, Grandeur Grey and Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic.
Suzuki have not yet provided official pricing on their updated model with uncertainties in Europe but we can expect more stats around the model closer to its launch in June when pricing will be revealed.
