Maruti Suzuki India on Saturday unveiled the new Baleno premium hatchback, introducing segment-first Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ventilated front seats and a new design as the automaker looks to strengthen its position in the premium hatchback segment.
The new Baleno, positioned under Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa retail network, is priced from ₹6.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), with the company also announcing a special festive offer. Bookings for the updated model are now open.
The Baleno gets a new NEXWave grille, redesigned front bumper, chrome-accented fender garnish and new colour option, Enigmatic Teal. Inside, the hatchback gets a dual-tone interior, plush leatherette upholstery and ventilated front seats, along with a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system.
The key technology upgrade is Level 2 ADAS, combining radar and camera-based systems. The suite includes Advanced Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, Adaptive Cruise Control, High Beam Assist, Vehicle Sway Warning and Forward Collision Warning. The system can also detect pedestrians in front of the vehicle.
“There is no pressure but our aim is to cater to the cosmopolitan audience, so we are bringing ADAS 2.0,” said Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki.
Banerjee said the upgrade was driven by the company’s understanding of Baleno customers rather than weak sales. “The target customer to whom this Baleno is being positioned based on our ethnographic study, we need to offer him some more features,” he said.
The premium hatchback segment currently averages around 50,000 units a month, with Baleno accounting for roughly one-third of sales. Maruti Suzuki sells an average of about 16,500 Baleno units a month.
“This year, premium hatch industry is growing by 17 per cent. But Maruti we are growing at a rate of 28 per cent,” Banerjee said.
He added that the company expects the updated model to see strong demand. “We feel there will be very good traction on this car. This car is doing very well,” he said.
The new Baleno is powered by Maruti Suzuki’s Z12E engine, producing 61 kW of maximum power and 112.4 Nm of peak torque. It is offered with a five-speed manual and Auto Gear Shift (AGS) automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency is rated at 23.80 km/l for the manual and 24.77 km/l for the AGS version.
The company has also introduced a premium Clarion sound system, wireless smartphone charging with active cooling, 360-degree camera, Head-Up Display and Suzuki Connect telematics.
Banerjee said the company was investing in technology to offer customers a more premium experience. “We are offering it even in the premium hatch. The logic is very simple. The segment of customer to whom we are targeting, we are investing in it,” he said.