[AkMar]

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

Baleno base Sigma variant walk around

Interesting to see that the Sigma with monochrome MID miss out on analog fuel & temperature gauges. Most probably Delta too will miss the analog gauges as it also has monochrome MID. The pricing is really good for what it offers!

[theAutomaniac]

Originally Posted by volkman10

New Age Baleno launched at a Very competitive price:

Originally Posted by abhi9044

SIGMA- 6,35,000

DELTA- 7,19,000 AGS- 7,69,000

ZETA- 8,09,000 AGS- 8,59,000

ALPHA- 8,99,000 AGS- 9,49,000

Freaking good pricing! For rupees 20k more than the pre-facelift Sigma, one gets Auto Climate Control, All Four Power Windows, rear defogger and a more fuel efficient engine. Screams VFM from the top of its voice!

And talking about the top spec variants, a lot has already been said but with the price now out, Maruti has to be lauded for offering so much at such low price increase!

It will be interesting to see how much the competition suffers now! While the Altroz might get some help due to it being a good product and Tata's good brand image in terms of safety, I am pretty sure that the i20 is just months away from becoming the next Honda Jazz in terms of sales (Of course can never match the Honda's safety, quality, comfort and reliability!)

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

Baleno Price comparison with rivals:

Lol forget the overpriced tin20, this thing makes the Altroz and Glanza look overpriced

[freakmuzik]

These are some amazing improvements and I also wish to see this create an impact in the actual on-road safety! The Power of having an intense competition can be seen here. When was the last time we even saw Maruti working on build quality, suspension, providing additional airbags, better brakes, etc?

Last few years might have been very difficult for Maruti and maybe that has translated into some meaningful improvements. Looking forward to the in-depth reviews.

Another doubt, is there any contribution by Toyota towards this?

[Oomph11]

Every section apart from the exterior design has undergone extensive changes. These changes have come at a minimal price rise. Zeta Variant seems Value for money with it’s features. Altroz aside the i20 is going to see dent in sales with it’s already atrocious pricing and lighter build. The giant has finally woken up.

[AutoNoob]

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Because it has AMT instead of CVT.

Originally Posted by Keeleri_Achu

My sister have a Baleno CVT and I have an Ignis AMT. There is no comparison between the transmissions. The CVT wins hands down. The rubber band effect pokes its ugly head only when you floor the pedal. In the same scenario the AMT is much worse with it's head nod and gear hunting.

I think switching down to AMT is intelligent move. This is price sensitive segment and a drop of 17~50k is ex-showroom price is vital attraction for a non-critical customers (who form major chunk).

I have lot of friends who are driving AMTs (Maruti, Hyundai, Tata) and have no issues. They don't even say head-nodding/ movement as a issue even when I tried to poke them on that point. Key thing to note : They don't have/ drive other vehicles, so have no comparison and thus no complaints.

Yes, CVT is any day superior transmission, but the difference with AMT feels significant (troubling ??) only if two are driven back-to-back or a person switches from one to other or has vast experience driving different types of automatics. Moreover, in recent AMTs, the head-nod effect is largely controlled with improved tuning.

[salmanz1992]

Originally Posted by umohan98

Maruti's CVT has been bashed by many in the forum for having a bad Rubber Band Effect, and the new gen AMT that debuted in the 2nd Gen Celerio has gotten good reviews compared to the ones in the older cars.
We should perhaps wait for Drive reviews to be out first before passing statements on the gearbox.

I think, there is a difference in the benchmark in both cases. The CVT had a greater rubber band effect when compared to other CVTs and the AMT (2nd Gen Celerio) was better than other AMTs available in the market. Don't think the two gearboxes can be compared in that sense.
I would still go for a CVT over an AMT, no matter how good the AMT is.
Agree on waiting for actual drive reviews.

[Venkatesh]

New Baleno walkaround from launch event, a look at the exterior and interiors

https://youtu.be/BQUJFCu-sm8

https://youtu.be/ELX8OI1tpZU

[docted]

Real life pictures from Gurgaon dealership yard.
Including the HUD in action and Base variant.

Edit: adding Base variant with steel rim, Alpha with LED setup, Mid level dash board, Mid level wheel cover, and Silver color.

[Livnletcarsliv]

Very aggressive and competitive pricing. Lesson learned by Maruti.
Excellent car as a package - with all the latest bells and whistles.

However, it is a wait and watch space in these 3 areas - Build quality, safety/star ratings, and driving dynamics (especially in the AMT). I hope this time Maruti has given serious consideration to the safety & build quality aspect.

[Dead_Pedal]

Originally Posted by freakmuzik

Another doubt, is there any contribution by Toyota towards this?

The switches below the driver's AC vent(to the right of the speedo console) seem to be from Toyota. based on my observation.

[Piyush Kanthak]

No doubt Baleno is a great package, I watched the whole event and there they have mentioned that Baleno is made on Heart tech platform, which is a disappointment, if they have improved the structure then well and good.

[docted]

Price difference between the New and Old.

Switching to AMT seems to help as price difference is acceptable.

Mods: please feel free to merge with earlier post.

[rhsakarp]

They replaced the CVT with an AMT to reduce costs I think. Further, the subscription costs being advertised are for a tenure of 48 or 60 months in all probability, is not listed on the website yet (had seen this on a similar clickbait advertisement for the wagon r)

[Kiran Joshi]

Originally Posted by rhsakarp

They replaced the CVT with an AMT to reduce costs I think. Further, the subscription costs being advertised are for a tenure of 48 or 60 months in all probability, is not listed on the website yet (had seen this on a similar clickbait advertisement for the wagon r)

But replacing butter smooth CVT in old car with AMT in new one is a step backwards. Especially when Maruti is selling Baleno as premium car. New CVT or latest 6 speed TC unit with 100 to 110 bhp would have been nice to own.
Let's watch for build quality also.

[johy]

Originally Posted by AutoNoob

I have lot of friends who are driving AMTs (Maruti, Hyundai, Tata) and have no issues. They don't even say head-nodding/ movement as a issue even when I tried to poke them on that point. Key thing to note : They don't have/ drive other vehicles, so have no comparison and thus no complaints.

Yes, CVT is any day superior transmission, but the difference with AMT feels significant (troubling ??) only if two are driven back-to-back or a person switches from one to other or has vast experience driving different types of automatics. Moreover, in recent AMTs, the head-nod effect is largely controlled with improved tuning.

The head nod thing, I think, is over-rated. Among automatic cars, I drive an Alto K10 AMT. And also an i20 NLine with the 7 speed DCT, and I have not really "felt" the head nod. Or at least has never bothered me.

Pricing on this car is going to force others to rethink