All-new Suzuki Baleno unveiled at 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show

ZEEGNITION/Kurt Morris

Japanese small car maker Maruti Suzuki on Tuesday unveiled the all-new Baleno at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and the premium hatchback is likely to hit the Indian market in the next few weeks.

Baleno will add to the company's portfolio in the premium compact hatchback segment and it will take on the likes of Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz and Volkswagen Polo.

The design of the Baleno is in line with the current design language of rest of Maruti’s products. Some stand out features are the 'V'-shaped chrome insert surrounding the honeycomb grill with the Suzuki logo sitting in the centre, and LED headlamps that accentuate the Swift-shaped headlamps. The rear, too, looks sporty thanks to a sloping roofline, wraparound windows with blacked-out A-pillars and a thin roof spoiler.

ALSO WATCH: Suzuki Baleno: First look at the hatchback

Inside, the instrument panel is flared at each end for a sense of breadth and is characterised by curving lines. Silver accents stand out against the restrained black of the cabin, and reddish-amber illumination for the audio, air conditioner, gear shift indicator, and other controls underline the cabin’s stylishness.

A large, high-definition colour LCD display in the instrument cluster shows performance and other information through user-friendly graphics. Highlighted features include driving G-force, engine output and torque, accelerator/brake operation, and energy flow (for vehicles with SHVS), among others.

The Baleno will also be the first car in India to sport the Apple CarPlay in-car entertainment system comprising a 7-inch touch panel screen with a USB port and SD card slot. The system can be connected using an iPhone to access Apple CarPlay’s various functions, such as maps, phone, messages, and music, as well as podcasts, audiobooks, and third-party Apple CarPlay compatible audio apps. It can also be connected to smartphones using MirrorLink.

Under the hood will be a new 1.0-litre Boosterjet direct-injection turbo petrol engine and the SHVS mild hybrid system. In India, though, expect the 1.2-litre petrol motor and the tried and test 1.3-litre DDiS motor. The Baleno could also get Suzuki’s new mild hybrid system (SHVS) as in the Ciaz. Both of these engines will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox while a CVT variant will also be on offer making it the first Maruti car to do so.

Maruti Suzuki has already begun production for the Baleno to cater to its export markets from its Manesar plant. The India launch for the car will happen on October 26 and the car will most likely be sold through Maruti’s Nexa showrooms.