Suzuki
Baleno
When
Suzuki set out to create a hatchback like none before, it first established a
key guideline - hold back on nothing. The result is the Suzuki Baleno, a
harmonious combination of styling that flows, superb performance achieved
through ground-breaking technologies, and smart packaging.
To
create a new, bar-raising hatchback that is fun to drive and engineered to meet
today's consumers' needs, Suzuki wanted to take the compact car to the ultimate
level. Baleno chief engineer Kunihiko Ito explains: "We set our sights on
developing the ideal hatchback, one that makes no compromises, giving it an
elegant, sophisticated and grown-up character. The Baleno perfectly embodies
all the elements expected in a car of this size—design, utility, comfort,
manoeuvrability, superior driving performance, and fuel efficiency."
With
its "Liquid Flow" design theme, compact body, spacious interior, and
efficient powertrains—all on a new-generation platform- the Baleno offers
style, utility, manoeuvrability, driving performance and fuel efficiency. It
also offers comfort, including on long-distance journeys, with plenty of space
for adults in both the front and rear, as well as generous luggage space.
The
instrument panel is flared at each end for a sense of breadth and is
characterised by curving lines. Silver accents stand out against the restrained
black of the cabin, and reddish-amber illumination for the audio, air
conditioner, gear shift indicator, and other controls underline the cabin's
stylishness.
The
new Baleno features three new technologies for achieving better driving
performance and better fuel efficiency: a new-generation platform, the new
BOOSTERJET direct-injection turbo engine and the SHVS mild hybrid system.
The
1.0 BOOSTERJET is a newly developed direct-injection turbo engine that achieves
both good fuel economy and driving pleasure, which is made possible by using a
small displacement, high torque turbocharger. The
Baleno features the 1.0 BOOSTERJET engine, which has a maximum output of 82 kW
and a maximum torque of 170 Nm.
The
Baleno is also available with a new 1.2 DUALJET, a dual-injection petrol engine
with improved thermal efficiency that strikes an excellent balance between
power performance and fuel efficiency.
Regarding
transmissions, the 1.0 BOOSTERJET can be paired with either an optimally geared
five-speed manual incorporating a specially designed convergent gear locating
system that helps reduce frictional losses and improve shift feel or a
six-speed automatic transmission that enables high performance at low speeds
and optimum fuel-efficiency at high speeds. The 1.2 DUALJET can be paired with
either the same five-speed manual transmission as the 1.0 BOOSTERJET or with a
continuously variable transmission.
Sales
of the Baleno will start in Europe in the spring of 2016.
