Rumour: Maruti Baleno could get 89 BHP diesel engine

Earlier this quarter, Maruti Suzuki launched the Baleno hatchback in India. The car came with a choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. While the 83 BHP that the petrol engine produced was at par with the competition, the 74 BHP power output of the diesel unit lagged behind the competition.

Now, according to a media report, Maruti is considering the use of the 1.3-litre, 89 BHP engine from the Ciaz sedan in the Baleno. This is the same unit as the Baleno's current power plant. However, instead of a fixed geometry turbo, it uses a variable geometry turbo. The extra power, along with the light weight of the car is expected to boost its performance. The car is expected to continue using the 5-speed manual transmission.

The Baleno has proved to be a strong seller in the B2 segment for Maruti. The company is reported to have received more than 40,000 bookings for the car. The Baleno's main rivals include the Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz.

Source: Autocar India