India-made Suzuki Baleno showcased - 2015 Tokyo Live

To be exported from India from early 2016.

Suzuki Motor Corporation has showcased the India-made Suzuki Baleno at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, today. The company's first premium hatchback is positioned above the Swift, to compete with hatchbacks such as the Hyundai i20 and the Honda Jazz.

Previewed by the Suzuki iK-2 concept that was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Suzuki Baleno was launched in India this week. India is the only place where the hatchback will be manufactured.

Mr. R S Kalsi, Executive Director (Marketing and Sales), Maruti Suzuki, told IndianAutosBlog that the Baleno will be exported to over 100 markets which includes Japan. He added that the exports will commence in early 2016.

While the Baleno sold in India is powered by the same petrol and diesel engines that have long been doing duty in the Maruti Swift, the export versions will debut the 1.0-litre BoosterJet turbo-petrol engine apart from offering the 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol motor.

The latter will be offered with the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) system. The hybrid package will comprise of a start/stop system, a brake energy recuperation system and a torque assist unit.