The Baleno, the latest entrant in the premium hatchback segment from the country's largest car-maker Maruti, has managed to garner a sizeable amount of orders within a few days of launch. The premium hatchback, which made its market entry on 26 October, currently has a waiting period of up to four months depending on the city.
The latest buzz on the Internet is Maruti Baleno, the second car to be sold through the company's premium dealer chain Nexa, could add a more powerful diesel engine under the hood. A report in Autocar India indicates Baleno is likely to get 1.3 Fiat Multijet diesel in the country, which also does duty in the premium crossover S-Cross. The 200 DDiS -1.3 Fiat Multijet diesel mill can churn out 89bhp of power and 200Nm of torque.
Currently, Maruti Baleno's engine line-up includes a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine and a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine. While the petrol engine is tuned to develop 83bhp and 115Nm of torque, the diesel mill churns out 74bhp and 190Nm of torque.
Baleno, the Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz rival, is offered in four trims and seven body shades: Granite grey, Solid fire red, Premium urban blue, Autumn orange, Metallic premium silver, Pearl arctic white and Ray blue.
Launched at an introductory price range of Rs 4.99-8.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), Baleno has seen nearly 5,000 units sold within just six days of its launch.
While in a city like Bengaluru Baleno has a waiting period of two and a half months, in Delhi and Mumbai buyers can get the car within two months. In Chennai, Baleno has a waiting period of up to three months and the scenario is the same in Kochi.
