Car enthusiasts – and buyers – in India have been waiting for the official India launch of the 2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno for some time now. To fuel curiosity until the premium hatchback finally drives into company showrooms on February 23, Maruti Suzuki has been dropping tantalizing glimpses of what the new Baleno will have on offer.
The new Maruti Suzuki Baleno will most likely have six trims. This means that in addition to the current list of variants – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha – there will now be the Zeta (O) and Alpha (O) also to choose from. The cabin will see a thorough revamp, with the inclusion of a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that will have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The upcoming Baleno will also come with automatic climate control. Other features that the new Baleno will bring are:
- Heads Up Display to help you keep your eyes always on the road
- Cruise Control to enjoy long highway stretches
- Electronic Stability Program for added safety
- 360 degree camera for hassle-free parking
- Wireless phone charger
- Arkamys tuned sound system
- Push-button start
- Auto LED Headlights
Perhaps the biggest change the Baleno will have is the removal of the CVT transmission and the inclusion of the pocket-friendly 5-speed AMT gearbox. The engine will be a 1.2 litre DualJet Petrol.
The exclusion of CVT and hybrid will further reduce the price of the Baleno, giving it an edge against rivals such as Toyota Glanza, Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo.
Pre-bookings for the 2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno started earlier this month. The Baleno first hit Indian streets in 2015 and has since raked sales upward of 1,000,000, the company announced in a statement last year.