Upgrade for highly efficient Suzuki Baleno hatchback

The practical and roomy Suzuki Baleno 5-door hatchback has been given a positive upgrade with specification improvements and interior enhancements.

Both the GLX and sporting RS grade models benefit from the latest changes which come with no increase in the recommended retail price.

In its latest guise the new Baleno is distinguished by a revised grille, reshaped front bumper, improvements to the seat upholstery with greyish blue centre inserts and gun-metal interior detailing.

LED projector headlamps are now standard on the RS which also boasts attractive newly styled aluminium alloy wheels shod with 185/55R16 tyres. Both versions enjoy reduced interior noise levels and ride comfort improvements.

“The subtle exterior and interior changes make the Baleno look significantly different,” said Gary Collins, General Manager of Motor Vehicle Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. “Since the model’s arrival in New Zealand, the more powerful RS variant has proved popular, accounting for over half of all Baleno sales over the last 12 months.”

The colour line-up has been enhanced with three new colours being Phoenix Red Pearl, Stargaze Blue Pearl, and Premium Silver metallic available across the Baleno range. The current Arctic White Pearl continues for all models while the Granite Grey metallic is exclusively available for top of the range RS Turbo model.

The Baleno has excellent all-round visibility, a tight turning circle and first rate maneuverability. Based on a strong but light platform, this stylish Suzuki is a larger alternative to the strong selling Suzuki Swift. Its wheelbase is 70 mm longer, and the car is also slightly wider and overall body length measures 155 mm more.

In spite of this, the fuel efficient Baleno remains incredibly light with the car’s specially designed platform. This has fewer joints for increased strength while also giving superior rigidity to enhance both safety and handling. The GLX manual is just 915kg providing strong benefits to performance levels and fuel efficiency.

Safety equipment built into every Baleno includes six airbags, an electronic stability programme, anti-lock brakes with EBD and braking force automatically modulated to provide the right amount of pressure, brake assist function and reversing camera for easy safe reversing and parking.

A real positive is the generous cabin space with easy access and 355 litres capacity boot. Rear seat accommodation is better than many small cars, with a widened seat allowing enough room for three passengers across. Up front the space is also roomy and a high roofline affords easy access.

The Baleno range has a headlamp levelling device, automatic lights and guide-me home lights. The leather covered steering wheel has tilt adjustment and incorporates controls for the on-board computer, cruise control, speed limiter and Bluetooth functions. Data like outside air temperature, driving range and average speed are shown on the multi-function display in the centre of the instrument cluster.

A centrally located 7-inch touchscreen features voice-activated audio and Bluetooth connectivity, plus built-in satellite navigation and reverse camera. Smartphone compatibility is covered with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to allow connection via USB to make calls, access music, send and receive messages, and get directions.

RS models add climate control air conditioning, easy to view read-outs for driving, engine output and torque. Telescopic steering wheel adjustment and steering column paddle shifter are also standard on this version. The frontal styling of the RS is distinguished by LED daylight running lamps incorporated into the headlamps, plus front fog lamps.

The 1.4 litre GLX is powered by Suzuki’s 68 kW K14B 4-cylinder, multi-point fuel injected engine with variable valve technology, achieving 5.1 litres/100 km in the combined fuel test cycle with manual transmission, and the automatic version averages 5.4 litres/100 km.

The RS automatic is also highly thrifty, with a 5.2 litres/100 km result for the same fuel cycle. This highly rated 1.0 litre, triple cylinder K10C 82 kW BoosterJet Turbo engine with direct injection delivers the power and torque of a much larger capacity power unit and coupled to a 6-stage automatic transmission delivers great performance.

A free-revving motor, the BoosterJet uses a small turbo with, in effect, an overboost function to make it efficient while still delivering excellent power and torque. The car’s solid performance is restrained by disc brakes front and rear.

Baleno is competitively priced at $21,990 for the 5-speed manual transmission GLX and $23,990 for the four-stage electronic automatic transmission GLX. The higher specification RS BoosterJet model with 6-stage automatic transmission is $25,990, plus on road costs for all these prices. The model is also included in Suzuki’s No Deposit finance offer, with the range available from $95 per week at 3.9% interest rate over a 5 year term (terms and conditions apply).

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For further information please contact:

Suzuki New Zealand Automotive Marketing Team

adminmv@suzuki.co.nz