Made-in-India Suzuki Baleno may be launched in Serbia by May: Report

As Suzuki Motor Corporation, the parent company of Maruti Suzuki India, gears up for the launch of the made-in-India Baleno in Europe and other countries, a latest report suggests that the hatchback may also be launched in Serbia by May 2016.

A report of IndianAutos Blog says the Serbia-bound Baleno will pack 1.2-litre Dualjet four-cylinder petrol and 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines. While the former will deliver 89bhp of power and 120Nm of torque with 5-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT), the latter will generate 110bhp of power and 160Nm of torque mated to 5-speed manual gearbox and 170Nm of torque paired to 6-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.2-litre variant will also get SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle System) technology. In terms of dimensions, Serbia-bound Baleno measures 3,995mm in length, 1,745mm in width and 1,470mm and has a wheelbase of 2,520mm.

In India, Baleno is powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine that is tuned to develop 83bhp and 115Nm of torque, and a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel mill churning out 74bhp and 190Nm of torque. Both the engines are teamed with a five-speed manual transmission. The petrol engine is also available with a CVT automatic gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki has plans to export the Baleno to more than 100 countries, including France, Denmark and the Netherlands. In addition to Europe, it will be introduced in Latin American countries, such as Chile, Paraguay and Colombia.

The Baleno, which made its India entry in October, got Automatic (Continuous Variable Transmission-CVT) Zeta petrol variant Wednesday, April 6 in the country.