Maruti Baleno Alpha CVT comes as part of the brand’s aim to reach 3,00,000 sales mark of the two-pedal equipped cars by 2020
Maruti Suzuki is known for making AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) affordable by adapting it for use in the Celerio small hatchback. And following its success, it is trying to exploit the advantages of the ease of driving automatic transmissions would bring in by expanding its presence to other models in the portfolio.
The contribution of two-pedal technology has increased from 6 percent in FY 2014-15 to 11 percent in 2016-17 for Maruti Suzuki in the domestic market. As part of doubling it, Maruti embarks on a mission to achieve an estimated 3,00,000 sales mark by the end of this decade. In doing so, the leading automaker in the country has announced today that the bestselling premium hatchback, Baleno, will get the automatic convenience in its range-topping Alpha variant.
The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) equipped Alpha variant is priced at Rs. 8,34,052 (ex-showroom, New Delhi). As similar to its manual petrol counterpart, the 1.2-litre engine produces 83 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm torque at 4,000 rpm. The five-speed CVT drives the front wheels and helps in achieving rated fuel economy of 21.4 kmpl.
In a bid to render additional choice to customers, the CVT is available on Delta as well as Zeta variants already. The new Alpha comes equipped with features like Smartphone Linkage Display Audio that works with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink connectivity.
The Maruti Baleno is currently the top-notch model sold from Nexa dealerships in terms of sales as in less than two years more than two lakh units were retailed at a startling pace. Right from the get-go, it can be credited with taking Nexa into the mainstream picture and ever since its debut in October 26, 2015 the Baleno has made a separate identity to itself due to its omnipresence in the bestselling monthly sales charts.
The Baleno gets standard safety features like dual airbags and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution). Earlier this year, Maruti introduced the performance-based RS with a 1.0 litre Boosterjet engine that makes 101 bhp maximum power and 150 Nm peak torque with claimed economy of 21.1 kmpl.
The premium hatchback is being shipped to over 100 countries worldwide including Suzuki’s home of Japan. Over 68,000 units have been exported so far to well-reputed markets like Australia, New Zealand, several parts of Europe and Latin America. The Baleno premium hatchback is sold in India with the tried and tested 1.2-litre K series petrol and 1.3-litre DDiS diesel option.