Suzuki Baleno To Be Discontinued In Its Home Market

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno was launched in Japan in March 2016. The hatchback is the first and only car to be imported by Suzuki from India to Japan. Also, it is the old version of the Baleno, not facelifted one, that is being sold in the Japanese car market. However, the small car has pretty much failed to attract Japanese car customers. Noteworthily, while other Suzuki models in Japan are offered with a 4WD system, the Baleno is not. Even the options of mild-hybrid and full-hybrid systems are not being provided to the Japanese customers.

The Maruti Baleno (Suzuki Baleno) is the first and only car to be imported from India to Japan.

The Maruti Baleno was launched with only a K12C 1.2-litre Dualjet naturally aspirated 4-cyl gasoline engine that can generate 91 PS against 118 Nm and is mated to a CVT. Shortly after the launch of the small car in Japan, Suzuki added a K10C 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo 3-cyl petrol motor to the Baleno’s engine options. This engine is good for 102 PS against 150 Nm and is coupled with a 6-speed AT unit.

The fuel mileage in the JC08 test cycle of the hatchback is 24.6 kmpl and 19.6 kmpl for the Dualjet and Boosterjet versions, respectively. The hatchback is equipped with HID headlights, LED taillights, heated front seats, Radar Brake Support collision-mitigating system, Adaptive Cruise Control and Dynamic Stability Control, etc.

The Baleno is equipped with quite a few interior features.

The Suzuki Baleno in Japan is priced at JPY 15,73,000 (INR 11.08 lakh) for the Dualjet version and JPY 17,60,000 (INR 12.39 lakh) for the Boosterjet version