Maruti Baleno

The Baleno has the looks and feel of a winner. This was Maruti Udyog's first D-segment car launched in India to compete with the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Honda City. This is also Suzuki's biggest passenger car and in Japan and other markets. The Baleno is called the Cultus in Japan.

The Baleno is probably the best-equipped car in the market today. It is available in two variants — one the base version and the top-end Baleno Altura. Both are identical in almost every aspect except that the Altura version is bigger and heavier and is equipped with some standout features like grip assist, which is there both in the front and the rear, electrically operated A/C louvre switches, a rear windshield wiper and washer, roof rails, foot rest and luggage hooks.

Other features present in both the models include a rear defogger, third brake light, trunk lighting, rear safety belts and the very useful 'key-not-removed buzzer.' By any standards, the car is very spacious and here at last is one car that provides ample legroom for the rear passengers.

The Baleno's 1.6-litre engine with 16 valves, multi-point-fuel-injection, a hollow camshaft and distributor-less electronic ignition is a gem. It is a SOHC unit where all four valves are operated via rockers driven by a single camshaft. It gives 94bhp at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 13.4kgm at 3,000rpm. The spirit of the car is bottled in a highly responsive and fuel-efficient 1590cc SOHC engine.

The Baleno is identical to the Honda City in length and width though it is smaller than the Lancer and the Astra. The Baleno's rectangular, meshed grille stands out from the bodywork with its chrome border. The bonnet flows smoothly around the grille area and blends into the bumper.

The Baleno is suspended on a fully-independent set-up, with MacPherson struts, both front and rear. An anti-roll bar is standard in the front. The suspension is mounted on a sub-frame, which reduces noise, vibration and harshness levels.

The Baleno reaches 0-100 kmph in 11.13 seconds and a top speed of 180 kmph and gives a mileage of 11.1 kmpl in towns and 15.9 kmpl on highways. The Baleno is Maruti's first upper-end model to compete with the Opel Astra, the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Honda City. The Baleno is Suzuki's biggest and most important passenger car.

On road prices

Baleno

Baleno Altura