Kamal Ghorui
Maruti Suzuki India launched the second-generation Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback back in 2022, and now it’s due for a mid-life facelift. A camouflaged test mule of the updated Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been spotted on Indian roads, marking the first sighting of the upcoming facelift. Since the hatch is extensively covered, it’s hard to tell anything about its new design. However, the overall silhouette looks the same as the exit model. As per the spy images, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno facelift could feature a revised front design with a slimmer grille and a chrome strip connecting the headlamps. The headlights appear unchanged, retaining projector LEDs and boomerang-shaped DRLs, while the fog lamps seen on the current model are absent on the test vehicle. In profile, the car continues with 16-inch alloy wheels similar to those on the Zeta variant. At the rear, the design remains largely unchanged, including wraparound LED tail lamps with pixel-style elements, a roof-mounted spoiler and a rear wiper. A revised rear bumper may be introduced as part of the update.
The interior seen on the test mule appears unchanged, with the same dashboard layout, trapezoidal AC vents, a 9-inch touchscreen and a three-spoke steering wheel. However, a new interior theme and updated materials could be offered. Features such as an analogue instrument cluster with a coloured display, automatic climate control and a head-up display are expected to continue. Additional features like a single-pane sunroof and ambient lighting, already offered by rivals such as the Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20, could also be introduced.
Talking about the powertrain, the outgoing model for reference is powered by a 1.2-litre Dual VVT NA petrol engine with 90hp and 113Nm, which comes paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT option. There’s also a CNG option with 77.5hp, 98.5 Nm, and it comes paired with a manual gearbox only. The facelifted model is expected to get a new 1.2-litre,3-cylinder Z series petrol engine, which is only expected at this stage and has not been officially confirmed yet.Image source: Harshvlogs/Youtube
