BS-VI Maruti Baleno Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs 5.58 Lakhs — Hybrid Version Also On Sale

India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has launched the BS-VI compliant Baleno premium hatchback in India. Prices for the new BS-VI compliant Maruti Suzuki Baleno start at Rs 5.85 lakhs.

Maruti has upgraded the facelifted Baleno's engine to meet new BS-VI norms and has also launched a new mild-hybrid dualjet version of the 1.2-litre engine as well. The new 1.2-litre Dualjet engine with Maruti's mild-hybrid SVHS tech is only offered with the Delta and Zeta variants of the premium hachback. Maruti Suzuki has not revealed any details about the new engine except for the mileage which is a class leading 23.87km/l.

The Maruti Baleno Delta Dualjet is priced at Rs 7.25 lakh, while the Zeta variant costs Rs 7.86 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). Prices for the regular variants of the new BS-VI Baleno have risen by between Rs 11,000 to Rs 19,000.

Speaking about the launch of the new BS-VI compliant Maruti Baleno in India, RS Kalsi, Senior Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki said "Baleno has been a blockbuster car from day one. We have over 5.5 lakh happy Baleno customers since its launch in 2015 and sold more than 2 lakh units in the last fiscal year. We recently upgraded Baleno with latest design and technology. At Maruti Suzuki, we strive to bring newer, better and environment friendly technologies to our products. Baleno Smart Hybrid with BS VI stands testament to the same. We are confident that the premium hatchback Baleno will present a complete package in line with aspirations of evolving customers."

While both versions of the Baleno are BS-VI compliant, the new smart hybrid Dualjet Baleno is only offered with the 5-speed manual gearbox. The non-hybrid versions of the Maruti Baleno will continue to be offered with both manual and CVT automatic gearbox options.

Maruti Suzuki is currently upgrading its cars and SUVs to comply with upcoming BS-VI emission norms that go into effect on the 1st of April, 2020. Maruti claims that its BS-VI compliant vehicles will see reduction its nitrous oxides emissions by nearly 25 per cent. The new emission norms will also place strict limits on non-methane Hydrocarbons (NMHC) emissions, while also ncreasing the durability of the exhaust after-treatment system.