Maruti Suzuki will more likely host the global premiere of the five-door Jimny and Baleno Cross (YTB) at the 2023 Auto Expo
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is expected to bring in two all-new cars at the 2023 Auto Expo in January and they will more likely be launched soon after their global debut. The motoring show could see the release of two models that are currently undergoing testing on public roads in India and they will help in further consolidating the brand’s SUV portfolio.
1. Five-Door Maruti Suzuki Jimny:
Yesterday, the largest car producer in the country was spotted testing the five-door Jimny for the first time. The prototype wore a black wrap while its red-painted Y-shaped alloy wheels could also be noted. The five-door Jimny was previous caught testing on European soil and thus the chances of it making the world premiere in New Delhi are high.
Moreover, it could herald a mid-life update to the fourth-generation three-door Jimny that has been available in the global markets since 2018. The five-door Maruti Suzuki Jimny could derive power from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder K15C mild-hybrid petrol engine developing around 105 PS and 138 Nm. It will be paired with a five-speed MT or a six-speed AT driving all four wheels through Suzuki’s AllGrip 4WD system.
2. Maruti Baleno Cross (YTB):
Another model which is highly anticipated to be revealed at the 2023 Auto Expo is the Baleno Cross. Internally codenamed YTB, the spy images of the Baleno-based SUV coupe have come in thick and fast in recent weeks and it will be retailed exclusively through the Nexa premium outlets. It will sit on the same Heartect platform as the Baleno, which in turn, received a facelift earlier this year.
The YTB/Baleno Cross will reportedly be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged BoosterJet petrol engine, which produced 100 PS in the Baleno RS in its BSIV avatar previously. To have an expansive range, Maruti could also offer a 1.2- or 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine.
The features list will likely resemble the Baleno and latest Brezza as a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SmartPlay Pro+ connectivity, a 360-degree camera, a heads-up display, automatic climate control, cruise control, six airbags, rear AC vents, adjustable headrests, etc are expected.