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Pros:
+ Sporty Look and feel
+ Remarkably spacious interior
Cons:
– Entertainment system is not user friendly
– Minimal head room
The Baleno was introduced back in 2016 and went against the likes of the Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz. Ever since its launch, the Baleno had given tough competition to both its competitors and has been majorly dominating the segment. One of the most unexpected things about the Baleno is that it’s an efficient hatchback that drives like a dream. However, once you take a peek under the bonnet, it’s easy to understand why. The 1.4 Lt K SERIES Engine gives you maximum performance whilst maintaining great fuel efficiency. Plus, with the Baleno’s impressive power, torque and really light body, you’re guaranteed a powerful yet nimble performance behind the wheel. So you can experience the joy of the drive for even longer.
A quick peek at the car’s profile is enough to see that the Baleno is heavily based on the iK-2 concept introduced at Geneva. The sides are nearly identical, with the most notable differences being at the front, the wheel arches and the side skirts. While the concept car had beefier fenders, the production version is a more mundane interpretation, with nearly flat wheel arches and simpler side skirts. The side mirrors are also slightly larger, while the door handles are similar to those seen on the Swift.
Engineering
The Baleno is able to generate greater torque from lower speeds – thereby significantly improving fuel economy while lowering emissions. Suzuki also managed to reduce in-car vibrations and noise, while also improving comfort. The new suspension system feature MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front and a torsion beam and coil springs at the rear.
Interior
The Baleno is equipped with state of the art safety features to help make you as safe as possible behind the wheel . The Baleno features an all-new interior that’s significantly different from the Swift. Although the overall shape of the dashboard hasn’t changed much, the unit feels a lot more modern thanks to a redesigned center stack with chrome accents and a new instrument cluster that now features a color LCD display that shows performance and vital information such as output, accelerator/brake operation, and driving G-force. The center console is also new. Wider and taller than the Swifts, it extends between the front seats, a clear sign that the Baleno sports a roomier interior. The infotainment system however, freezes randomly and infrequent as they may be, it’s annoying. Especially when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere and the system refuses to play audio from a paired phone, till the car is switched off and turned on again.
The Baleno has plenty of room on the inside. So if you’re looking for a little extra legroom, or if you need some extra space for all your shopping and luggage. A few other impressive things include: Plenty of luggage space (320-litres), Lots of legroom for passengers, Centre console box with armrest, Excellent shoulder room for both front passengers, Easy entry to the rear seats thanks to a wide opening space, Flexible boot space including removable double floor, 60:40 split folding rear seats and clever storage compartments.
The first thing you’ll notice sitting on the driver’s seat is the highly visible display unit at the centre of the instrument cluster which gives a clear and constant picture of the state and running of the car. This advanced multi-information display has a 4.2-inch colour LCD screen (GLX) that intuitively conveys a useful range of information, such as running performance and engine output. The digital climate control in the GLX model features a unique circular display with a high contrast LCD panel for improved visibility.
Exterior
Building on Suzuki’s extensive small car know-how, the stylish new Baleno wraps a compact, aerodynamic body in elegant, sporty lines. But although it’s sleek on the outside. The new Baleno’s design is both aesthetically pleasing and structurally advanced: it’s light, agile, dynamic and streamlined. Curved lines and flowing aerodynamics make its low, wide silhouette a bold, compelling visual statement. A new-generation platform – and all its parts – has been specially designed to optimise its shape, form and performance. By increasing rigidity and minimizing weight, the platform enhances fuel economy, safety, handling, and stability. It also helps minimize noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). While a low, wide muscular stance adds extra stability, the MacPherson strut coiled suspension senses your every move, enhancing maneuverability, responsiveness and driving enjoyment.
If I had to sum up my experience with the Baleno in a sentence, it’s accurate to say that this car has been one joy of a ride.
Availability
Al Rostamani Trading Company
Al Ittihad Street, Dubai-Sharjah Road
P.O. Box 812, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Tel + 971 4 295 5907
Fax + 971 4 295 5908
http://uae.newbaleno.com/
