[volkman10]

Mod Note: Our Maruti Fronx Auto Expo Report has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is developing a compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) that would be based on its popular Baleno hatchback.

Code-named ‘YTB’, the new model is likely to be designed as a coupe or a mini crossover.

The new model is among a series of SUVs planned by the Suzuki Motor Corp. unit to bolster efforts to regain market share lost to competitors in recent times.

By tapping the existing Baleno platform, Maruti would be able to save on costs and time spent normally on developing a vehicle

Internally, it’s been referred to as the ‘sister car’ of Baleno and companies often take this route to expand their product portfolio quickly. Maruti has already adopted this strategy successfully with XL6 and Ertiga

Link

[Rahul Bhalgat]

When the MSIL already has the sub 4 m Brezza, what will it gain by offering another one in the same category?

Why not improve the looks of Brezza? Not a minor facelift in the form of new headlamp and taillamp, but a bit more contemporary looks.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Rahul Bhalgat

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Why not improve the looks of Brezza? Not a minor facelift in the form of new headlamp and taillamp, but a bit more contemporary looks.

Next Generation of Vitara Brezza is in the offing.

expected to launch two versions of the new generation of Vitara Brezza

Link

[naikameya]

Brezza is an odd Maruti with a high safety rating - 4stars. Is Maruti not happy with it? Why build another sub 4m SUV on the Baleno platform?
Please think about safety else there is no need for jumped-up Baleno on stilts.

[prkiran]

Originally Posted by naikameya

Brezza is an odd Maruti with a high safety rating - 4stars.

Maybe this is why. Why would they want a product in their lineup which is against their core values?

[TejasKinger]

As long as what we are getting isn't the Suzuki Baleno Cross that is sold in Colombia.

[xjosephjacob]

Could be another attempt at the Swift-Ritz or Swift-Baleno business model- multiple products in the same price bracket with clearly different value propositions. This could co-exist with Brezza. Or, are they targeting the Magnite-Kiger cousins.

It makes business sense (read efficiencies) to have common platform driving the models. But yet another product from 'heart(tect)ache' platform doesn't sound very confidence inspiring.


In Kerala people mockingly call "Bale-no" as "Balam-no". The word "Balam" in malayalam means strength.

[saisree]

They should consider S-Cross instead of Baleno. A shortened version of S Cross with out missing its build and core can do wonders. Call it mini Cross similar to mini Cooper

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by TejasKinger

As long as what we are getting isn't the Suzuki Baleno Cross that is sold in Colombia.

I feel this is the most likely outcome.

Everything else seems exaggerated PR talk for what will essentially be a cross version of Baleno with some extra plastic.

[RSR]

I feel Maruti Suzuki are attempting to "do a WR-V" here.

Just like Honda raised their 4 metre premium hatchback Jazz, made a few sheet metal changes, and marketed it as a 4 metre compact SUV, so will Maruti Suzuki.

But why, when they already have the Vitara Brezza?

The answer is because the Vitara Brezza is not classified as a "small car" due to its 1.5 litre petrol engine, and hence isn't priced that competitively. With this raised Baleno and a 1.2 litre engine, Maruti Suzuki will be able to price it very competitively indeed.

[Amit_breakfree]

We should start preparing ourselves for a "cross-badged" version of "Baleno Cross" in the form of "Glanza Cross".

[Bibendum90949]

When a tall boy Ignis is projected as an urban SUV, this isn't any surprise either. May be we need to ask Maruti what's the definition of SUV.

[rajshenoy]

Baleno is already stretching sub 4m limits and I guess similar dimensions as that of Vitara brezza. They already have ignis and XL6 below and above that segment. So I wonder what is Maruti cooking? Perhaps a Baleno cross with some extra side paddings but I thought that market segment bombed with none of the hatch based pseudo SUV appealing to consumers

[motorworks]

Originally Posted by xjosephjacob

Could be another attempt at the Swift-Ritz or Swift-Baleno business model- multiple products in the same price bracket with clearly different value propositions. This could co-exist with Brezza. Or, are they targeting the Magnite-Kiger cousins.

Maybe true, Maruti just wants to respond to the Magnite and the Kiger, by having a so called cross over at a lower price than the Brezza. But im not convinced that they can pull off anything on the existing Baleno.

In fact, I read somewhere that the next Gen Baleno itself is due sometime late 2021 or 2022, so could be a possibility that they offer this so called cross version in the next Gen Baleno.

Or it could be just a gimmick like the ridiculous Celerio Cross! Wouldnt be a surprise if Maruti went ahead and did something like that with the Baleno!

[Carma2017]

The so called Baleno crossover in my opinion would be like Ertiga and XL6. However, since this is a prestige model, I think the gizmo level would be higher than Baleno. From all indications, this is the Futuro-E. What the powertrain option would be, I would like to know.