[TusharK]

A mysterious Baleno test mule has been spotted in Gurgaon. The test car appears to be based on the pre-facelift version of the hatchback, but it is riding on updated alloy wheels.



All the badges on the car have been tapped off. So, it's difficult to guess what Maruti could be testing.

Could they be testing the BS6 1.5L Diesel?

Reports suggest that Maruti could re-introduce the 1.5-litre diesel engine in BS6 guise sometime in 2021. The same engine could also power some Toyota branded cars in the future.

Could they be testing a proper hybrid with tech sourced from Toyota?

A Baleno with a full-hybrid powertrain was spotted testing back in July 2019. Maruti is said to be developing the 48 Volt "strong hybrid" powertrain in collaboration with Bosch.

Could they be testing an electric powertrain?

In 2018, Bosch had showcased a Baleno-based EV (Bosch All-Electric Maruti Suzuki Baleno - NDTV Car & Bike Review). It came with an electric motor that had an output of 115 BHP and 200 Nm and was powered by a 10 kWh battery pack.

Thanks to BHPian BoneCollector for sharing these images with other enthusiasts.

Link to Team-BHP News

[CARDEEP]

Could just be a facelift which is long overdue IMO as the Glanza has fresh looks & the new i20 is around the corner.

[CEF_Beasts]

Isn't this the same Baleno that was spotted before the car was officially launched in India? Reason neither is the car available in black nor are those alloy wheels whereas only before launch was this exact spec spotted. Could be a possibility that since all the camouflage has been removed this was just being taken from one location to another.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...flaged-11.html (Team-BHP Scoop Pics! Maruti YRA / Fronx Hatchback, uncamouflaged!)

[Shamegz]

Originally Posted by TusharK

The test car appears to be based on the pre-facelift version of the hatchback, but it is riding on updated alloy wheels.

My wild guess is Baleno Tour , as the test mule is pre-facelift.
Is it a proper alloy or Wheel cap ?

[theAutomaniac]

These Baleno prototypes were also spotted years back before the official launch of the Baleno RS back in 2016!

This one for example, is the exact same looking car spotted back in 2016


Possibilities are that these cars might be testing the BS6 version of the 1.0L RS Motor or maybe they just took the old cars out for a spin?(Should not be the case as the number plates are in the new format!)

And speaking of new Baleno prototypes, Gaadiwaadi reported a mysterious being tested a few weeks ago! (Pic and Link attached below!)


Link- https://gaadiwaadi.com/maruti-suzuki...or-48v-hybrid/


My guess is that they are either testing the BS6 1.0L Boosterjet(I hope this is true) or probably a stronger hybrid version (remember the 32kmpl Swift from the Auto Expo '20??)


Someone above said that they could be testing the 1.5L diesel BS6. But that doesn't make sense as a few Ertiga prototypes with the same engine were spotted on test a few months back.
Also, testing the diesel on the Baleno instead of the Ciaz, Brezza or S-Cross doesn't make sense as the latter ones are the ones which require a diesel engine and not the Baleno!


Since the new i20 and Altroz turbo petrol are just around the corner, it could be that Maruti might be planning to re-introduce their old engine in the BS6 form? (I hope they are! )

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Could they be testing the BS6 1.5L Diesel?

Could they be testing a proper hybrid with tech sourced from Toyota?

Could they be testing an electric powertrain?

Thanks to BHPian BoneCollector for sharing these images with other enthusiasts.

All three pretty much valid reasons for any prospective customers for the bigger Marutis or rebadged Toyotas to wait till next year.

Yeah, pretty much a slippery slope reason to keep on postponing purchases, as newer models keep on coming and especially with the Maruti EV, 1.5 diesel and strong hybrids being tested by Maruti for eternity.

Still, believe there are a good number of die hard Maruti customers who are buying the bigger Marutis grumbling, ruing the fact they would have to live with less than stellar city fuel efficiency figures.

More than the EV or bs6 1.5 diesel, hope they bring a strong hybrid to the mass market.
Like who wouldn't say No to a 20km/l + city figure?

[NFS2024]

This cannot be a testing for BS6 Diesel, since Maruti has been shouting from the rooftop that BS6 Diesels does not make sense for their small cars and will not introduce it. They have been clear that BS6 Diesel will be introduced only in their larger cars like Ertiga and maybe even Brezza.

So, if at all this is a test mule, then it can be the Boosterjet or Hybrid powertrain.

I dont think they are testing the electric powertrain either. Too early in the lifecycle according to me based on Maruti's strategy.

[Carma2017]

Could it be a successor to the K-series engines that is being tested?

[myavu]

Could be: Maruti Baleno otherwise is not in any news these days. So Maruti people want Forums like ours to discuss all these "Could be" and speculate. At the end it will be another sticker job for Diwali. Probably Baleno RS Sport - Sticker Edition

[landcruiser123]

Most probably the diesel. Maruti will use the 1.5 diesel in a lower state of tune in the Baleno & Dzire.

Altroz, i20, Amaze, and Figo Aspire are formidable competitors in the respective segments.

[Hemi6.2]

The alloys on this Baleno aren't new or updated. I have seen these in the Ads when this car was first launched plus these alloys are available on boodmo for sale and it's a very good deal, ₹ 5190/- for a 16".
Boodmo listing: https://boodmo.com/catalog/part-4321...0zmq-31657942/
I am not related to Boodmo in any regard.

[shibujp]

Originally Posted by theAutomaniac

Possibilities are that these cars might be testing the BS6 version of the 1.0L RS Motor or maybe they just took the old cars out for a spin?(Should not be the case as the number plates are in the new format!)

I would agree with this as small capacity turbo petrols are quite standard in the compact segment and not having an option will hurt Maruti. The current 1.2 K12 workhorse though still one of the best engines in the segment is just going to be outgunned by the crop of turbo petrols.

What has given Maruti some cushion so far is the fact that no manufacturer has offered the turbo petrol as their standard engine. All the other 1.2NA petrol just can't compete with the K12. Investing in a BS6 1.0L Boosterjet makes sense for Maruti at this point. I hope they also go a step further and convert the 1.4 Boosterjet too for use in higher variants.

Drive on,
Shibu.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by shibujp

The current 1.2 K12 workhorse though still one of the best engines in the segment is just going to be outgunned by the crop of turbo petrols.

What has given Maruti some cushion so far is the fact that no manufacturer has offered the turbo petrol as their standard engine. All the other 1.2NA petrol just can't compete with the K12..

There is a speculation on Suzuki working on the 1.2L turbo engine. Could this be on test in the spotted Baleno?

[pedrolourenco]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

Most probably the diesel. Maruti will use the 1.5 diesel in a lower state of tune in the Baleno & Dzire.

Hopefully this is true. A simple remap can turn it into a nice fast hatch.

Originally Posted by volkman10

There is a speculation on Suzuki working on the 1.2L turbo engine. Could this be on test in the spotted Baleno?

This will also be a welcome move.

My question is why are they using an old body shell that has already done lots of testing

[DrCar]

I feel Maruti will stay away from plonking Turbo in their petrol cars. All their cars sell because of good fuel efficiency. Plonking a turbo will negate the USP that Maruti has.

If I take a wild guess, they most probably would be testing a 1.5 petrol with or without hybrid (both probably provided by Toyota). Toyota already has technology ready which can be easily paired with thier own engines.

Testing diesel on Baleno would make no sense as most hatchback buyers are now buying petrols.