2019 Maruti Baleno Facelift To Launch By Jan-end; Bookings Open

• Baleno facelift likely to launch on January 27
• Deliveries to begin by late-February
• Will get an updated front facia and new features
• Bookings open at various dealers across India for Rs 11,000
• Likely to be priced marginally higher than the current mode

Maruti’s game-changing premium hatchback, the Baleno, is set to receive a facelift for 2019 soon. It is expected to hit Nexa showrooms as early as the end of January. Surprised? Don’t be, if Nexa dealers are to be believed, the carmaker is likely to launch the Baleno facelift on January 27, following the launch of the much-awaited Wagon R on January 23.

Bookings for the updated Baleno have already commenced at various Nexa dealerships and you can book yours for a token amount ranging between Rs 11,000 and Rs 21,000. Deliveries are likely to commence by the end of February.
 

In the first update since its launch back in 2015, the Baleno will get minor cosmetic changes such as a new front facia, which includes a redesigned bumper, as well as all-new alloy wheels. While the bumper has been redesigned with a seperate fog lamp housing, the grille has become sleeker. Expect the changes to be limited to the exteriors and spy shots revealed last week confirm that the overall design of the car is likely to remain unchanged.

What it should get though is additional features such as all-new LED headlamps accompanied by LED fog lamps instead of the bi-xenon projector setup seen on the top-spec versions of the current car. In addition, the facelift could get features like automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control, to get it at par with competitors such as the Hyundai Elite i20, Volkswagen Polo and the Honda Jazz. The Baleno is also expected to get a speed alert system, seatbelt warning, as well as parking sensors as standard this time around.
 

Mechanically, the facelift will remain unchanged from the current model on sale. The tried-and-tested duo of the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol and the 1.3-litre DDiS190 diesel engine will be carried forward unchanged. While the current model gets the option of a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine under the ‘RS’ guise, it’s unclear if this motor will make it to the facelifted model. While the petrol will continue to have the option of a CVT, the diesel will be offered with a manual gearbox only.

Although the Baleno facelift is likely to be priced marginally higher than the outgoing model, expect Maruti Suzuki to retain its bang-for-buck quotient in the premium hatchback segment. The current Baleno is priced between Rs 5.47 lakh and Rs 8.52 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). We’ll soon get more details on the upcoming Baleno facelift, so stay tuned to Zigwheels for all the updates and official launch details.

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