VIDEO: Suzuki Baleno teased

Suzuki has teased its first picture of the production version of the iK2 concept - a direct rival for top-selling small cars like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

Due to be revealed at the Frankfurt motors show next month, the new Suzuki adopts the old Baleno name and stays true to the design of the iK-2 show car.

Under the hood the new small hatch is powered by a 1.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine dubbed Boosterjet. Suzuki is also believed to be working on a hybrid version that will follow the 1.0-litre turbo, which goes on sale around winter 2016.

Looking almost identical to the concept, the new Baleno is expected to share its dimensions and ride on a 2520mm wheelbase, measuring in total 4023mm long and standing 1450mm tall. That makes it a substantial 173mm longer than the Swift it replaces.

Under the skin, the Baleno sits on a brand new platform that, in the future, is expected to spin-off a Nissan Juke rival.

Weight-saving, says Suzuki, was a primary objective for engineers working on the small Corolla rival to keep its kerb weight down.

Suzuki Australia has already confirmed it can’t wait to get its hands on the Baleno, which is expected to undercut Australia's top-selling Toyota Corolla and its close rival, the Mazda3.

Speaking to motoring.com.au last March following the launch of the iK-2 concept, Suzuki Australia General Manager Andrew Moore said he was “pushing hard for it in Australia."

motoring.com.au also understands the Baleno will be a key part of Suzuki Australia's target of 30,000 annual sales by 2017.

The arrival of the Baleno kicks off something of a product renaissance for the Japanese brand as Suzuki plans to launch six new models by 2017. Among the models in the pipeline is an actual smaller replacement for the Swift and a production version of the iM4 baby SUV.