Is Maruti Suzuki Baleno Underpowered?

Launch Update: Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been launched at a price of Rs 4.99 lacs (Ex-showroom, Delhi). The car offers segment first Apple CarPlay, amongst other creature comforts. In terms of safety, the car features ABS with EBD and Dual-Front airbags as standard throughout all of its variants. Check out the complete launch details right here: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Launched at Rs 4.99 lacs.

Okay! so there isn’t much time left for October 26th, the day Baleno will be launched. We have driven the car and the world already knows the Baleno specifications . The car is offered with the 1.2-litre petrol from Swift, as expected, but strangely get the same 1.3-litre 75PS diesel instead of the 90PS one. It has come as a shock to me and to probably many others. I mean, when the whole world is powering their vehicles with stronger engines Maruti decided to go for a less powerful one. And why take the fun away, from a car that carries the name of a 1.6-litre-ed petrol propelled rally car (at least for India).  

Is it for Mileage Sake?

To start with, Honda Jazz has a 100PS i-DTEC diesel that is adequately powered and comes with a 6-speed manual, yet it manages a tremendous fuel economy of 27.3 kilometers per litre. Next up, Elite i20, ok the mileage is less at somewhere around 22.5 kmpl, but the torque stands at segment best 219 Nm again with a six-speed stick shift. Climbing down a step, we meet Ford’s Figo diesel, powered by a 1.5 litre TDCi producing 100PS of max power, 215 Nm of torque and 25.83 kmpl, a nick lower than both Jazz and Baleno, but I can live with that for 100PS. 

Also Read: Upcoming Launches in Next 15 Days

Coming back to Maruti, before plonking the SHVS mild hybrid technology, Ciaz gave a nick over 26 kmpl with the 1.3-litre 90PS that too with a heavier body. Baleno, which is based on a very lightweight platform, would have automatically extracted better mileage than Ciaz from the same engine. And even if it hadn’t extracted better mileage, 26kmpl is still good. Also, Baleno’s 75PS engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, rather than 6-speed like the other two in this segment.

Is it for Price’s sake?

Maruti is well known for pricing its car right, a recent example is the Ertiga facelift that has been launched at INR 5.99 lacs (Ex-showroom New Delhi). Baleno price is also expected to fall in an impressive bracket, but if it is at the cost of less power, then India’s largest car manufacturer needs to take another look at it. I mean how much would have it costed for a Variable Geometry Turbo that is in the 90PS one.

See Launch News: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Facelift Launched at Rs. 5.99 lac

Baleno is a good looking car, wide body, great interiors, well-equipped and comes with standard dual front airbags, ABS across all variants. Moreover, in our road test we found out that it is on par in ride and handling department compared to the competition. But, a simple addition of 15 horses and 10 NMs would have made it more appealing to enthusiasts that are gradually increasing in India. More importantly, with the Scorpion around the corner even the current hot hatches (Polo GT TSI and Figo 1.5 TiVCT) seems worried, let alone the routine hatchbacks. Period. 

Also See: Maruti Baleno Exclusive Pictures - Vivid Image Gallery!