New Maruti Baleno production begins ahead of February launch

Maruti Suzuki has begun series production for the heavily updated 2022 Baleno at its Gujarat plant.  The first unit of the new Baleno rolled out on January 24, around a month before the model's market launch and price announcement which is slated to take place sometime in late February. 

• New Baleno production starts at Gujarat plant
• Gets major updates inside out
• Will get a CNG variant in future

2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Fresh yet familiar exterior looks

When viewed from the front, the new Baleno gets L-shaped wraparound headlamps that will get LED daytime running lamps and projector set-up depending on variant. The hood seems to be flatter, but continues with its clamshell design. The newly designed grille has a “smiley look” and is now much larger.

The new Baleno carries almost a similar look as the outgoing model when viewed from the sides, however, the front and the rear fenders have been redesigned to accomodate new-look head and tail lamps. At the back, the 2022 Baleno gets a new tailgate design, new L-shaped tail lamps that now extend all the way to the tailgate and a new bumper.

2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: New interior, new infotainment system

The 2022 Baleno will get a completely redesigned dashboard that will actually look quite similar to the recently unveiled new S-Cross overseas, with the AC vents now placed horizontally in a V-shaped pattern and a free-standing infotainment screen taking centre stage. The unit looks much bigger than the 7.0-inch SmartPlay Studio system and could easily be 8.0-inch or more in size. The infotainment system will be upgraded and will also feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among others.

While cooled seats are not expected to be part of the suite of features, Maruti Suzuki will offer a heads up display unit, or HUD, on the new Baleno, using it as a key differentiator. The system isn't likely to be as customisable as the ones on luxury cars, but there will still be a fair amount of useful set-up that will be possible to the display.

New 2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: will get up to six airbags

The airbag count on the new Baleno will be up to six on the top models – driver and passenger airbags along with curtain bags, both for the front and rear passengers. Higher models could also come with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as well.

2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: likely to come with an AMT gearbox option

The new Baleno is expected to carry forward the current hatchback's engines. The Baleno is currently powered by two 1.2-litre petrol engines – one producing 83hp and another producing 90hp with 12V mild-hybrid technology – and these are expected to be carried over as is. There are talks of a full-hybrid version of the car; however, we don't expect it to be introduced with this update.

While the manual gearbox is also expected to be carried forward, Maruti is likely to replace the current Baleno's CVT unit with an AMT unit such as in the Swift.

2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: competition check

While the Baleno continues to be one of the most popular cars sold in India, the model has seen rivalry from newer products from Tata and Hyundai that come with more creature comforts and better technology.

2022 Toyota Glanza, Starlet updates incoming

Toyota Glanza and its international twin, the Starlet, are built alongside the Baleno at the Maruti Suzuki plants in India. Given the fact that all three models share parts, the Toyota versions are expected to be introduced after a short gap.

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