New Baleno lands from $16,990 drive-away

Suzuki has launched its all-new Baleno hatch in Australia this week, the model to sit between the Swift and S-Cross in the Japanese importer's local line-up.

Priced from $16,990 (drive-away), the two-grade Baleno range measures 3995mm long and 1745mm wide by 1470mm high, and rides on an 2520mm wheelbase, figures that see it fall 335mm short of the current Toyota Corolla hatch (from $19,790). Unlike Corolla, however, the Baleno will sell in the VFACTS Light car segment Down Under.

In spite of the difference in size the five-door, five-seat Baleno falls only five litres short of the Corolla's cargo capacity with 355 litres (VDA). The rear seats are split 60:40 to expand the total area to 1085 litres.

Safety equipment includes three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints in all five seating positions, six airbags, stability and traction control, and anti-lock brakes. ISOFIX and top-tether child-seat anchor points are fitted in both outboard rear seat positions.

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), which is offered in conjunction with radar cruise control on European-spec models, is not offered in the current line-up, Suzuki Australia saying it may be included in the model's mid-life upgrade.

Once tested, Suzuki Australia says it anticipates the Baleno will receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The Baleno range kicks off with the GL, the model priced from $16,990 (drive-away) with a five-speed manual transmission and $17,990 (drive-away) with a four-speed automatic. The entry-grade variant is powered by a multipoint-injected 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 68kW/130Nm and is claimed to return 5.1L/100km on the ADR combined cycle (5.4L for the automatic).

Equipment highlights for the Baleno GL include 15-inch steel wheels (with space-saver spare), cloth seats, auto halogen headlights, front foglights, LED DRLs (daytime running lights), a leather-wrapped tilt adjustable steering wheel with cruise, audio and Bluetooth controls, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking and manual air-conditioning.

For the range-topping GLX (from $22,990 drive-away) we find a direct-injected 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol. The 'Boosterjet' unit develops 82kW/160Nm and is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The model is said to consume 5.2L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle.

The Baleno GLX is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels (again with space-saver spare), cloth seats, auto HID projector-style headlights, front foglights, LED DRLs (daytime running lights), a leather-wrapped tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel with cruise, audio and Bluetooth controls, and the aforementioned paddle shifters, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking with keyless start, single-zone climate control and a 4.2-inch colour display between the instrument panel's main dials.

The 7.0-inch touch screen infotainment system, common to both grades, includes six-speaker sound, USB connectivity, satellite navigation and a colour reversing camera. It is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range is offered in four paint colours.

Suzuki offers the Baleno with a three-year/100,000km warranty, which is extended to five years/100,000km in conjunction with its capped-price servicing plan. Service intervals for the Baleno are set at six month/10,000km intervals.

The Baleno's all-new aerodynamic body is said to be over 10 per cent more rigid than the current Swift's, while at the same time being 15 per cent lighter (-30kg). Tipping the scales at 935kg (kerb), the new Baleno rides on a familiar MacPherson strut (front) and coil-sprung torsion beam (rear) suspension arrangement. Braking is all disc (front) /drum (rear) and the steering is electrically-assisted.

The Baleno was first seen as the iK-2 concept at last year's Frankfurt motor show. Unlike that model the local variant will not be offered with the (66kW/120Nm) 1.2-litre port-injected 'Dualjet' four-cylinder engine or the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) mild hybrid drivetrain.

"We're having a look at it," said Suzuki Australia general manager, Andrew Moore. "But cost is an issue. Given Baleno is built in Japan, and with the current exchange rates being what they are, the model would attract more than a $1200 premium over the GLX.

"While it would be terrific to showcase hybrid technology to our customers, the current business case doesn't stack up. If government subsidies for hybrid vehicles were introduced, the exchange rate changed considerably, or the Baleno's volume warranted the introduction of a hybrid model, then we'd certainly look at it," he said.

Baleno reintroduces the nameplate last sold here in 2001. It will likely be joined by the all-new Swift hatch in Q3 next year and all-new Ignis SUV in 2018 – that model previewed as the iM-4 concept at this year's Geneva motor show. Based on its size and expected price, the Ignis will likely challenge rivals including the Mazda CX-3 and Ford EcoSport.

Suzuki Australia says the new model offensive is part of its plan to sell 30,000 vehicles annually by 2017. To the end of June 2016 the brand has sold just 10,133 units nationally.

2016 Suzuki Baleno pricing:
>> Baleno GL -- $16,990 (man.) / $17,990 (auto.)
>> Baleno GLX -- $22,990 (auto. only)