The Baleno is the second Maruti Suzuki model to be sold from their Nexa dealerships. Positioned as a premium hatchback, can the Baleno live the Nexa dream for Maruti Suzuki?

Right from the time Maruti Suzuki established a name in the Indian market with the SS80 and its successors, it has been perceived as a people’s brand. In fact, with the onset of the 90’s the brand almost became synonymous with cars in India altogether. Numbers were sky rocketing and sales executives at Maruti dealerships didn’t need to break a sweat to ‘sell’ cars. 

While Maruti Suzuki was enjoying the success that it had managed to achieve with its entry-level cars, buying power and demands of the consumers were gradually increasing as more manufacturers started entering the Indian market. Maruti Suzuki however continued to do what they knew best and efficiently at that. Little did they know that the brand image that they worked so hard to build will be the one that they would want to shake off. 

Soon enough there was a demand for premium offerings and despite brining in cars like the Baleno sedan, Grand Vitara and the Kizashi, Maruti Suzuki was unable to establish itself as a premium car maker. The SX4 was a car that did manage to put a foot in the door for Maruti Suzuki, but unfortunately, that was all it could achieve. Its successor though, the Ciaz, since the time of its launch has helped the cause further. 

Recently though, Maruti Suzuki decided to take a different approach altogether. With the launch of the S-Cross, the Manesar-based car maker introduced a new range of Nexa dealerships that would cater exclusively to their premium cars. But considering its niche, the S-Cross isn’t quite the car that would establish Maruti Suzuki’s name in the list of premium car makers either. Enter, the new Baleno hatchback. 

With cars like the Hyundai Elite i20, the Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo in the market, Maruti Suzuki knew that it had to bring in a fabulous product to make place for itself. So Maruti Suzuki played it smart and developed a car that looks like an evolution of the Swift. And just to be sure, they plunked it with powerplants that have proven its mettel in the test of time. But these are not the only factors that define a premium hatchback. 

In the Baleno, Maruti Suzuki has maintained high standards in terms of quality. The all-black cabin looks upmarket and although a lot of its parts have been carried forward from some of its other models, the overall quality has not been compromised. Seats are well bolstered and the knee room at the back is quite impressive too. And then let’s not forget the long list of features. From automatic climate control, colour TFT information screen and a 4.2-inch touch screen with a rear parking camera to keyless entry, push button start, USB and AUX ports the Baleno gets it all. 

Even if it is slotted in the premium hatchback segment, the sales of a product have a lot depending on the price. By undercutting the base price of arch rivals Hyundai Elite i20 and the Honda Jazz, Maruti Suzuki has managed to tick that box too. In fact, even the top-end diesel Baleno is priced at par with the Elite i20 and considerably cheaper than the Jazz. Let's also not forget that the Baleno is considerably cheaper than the S-Cross and falls in a very popular segment, which means the Nexa dealerships will now be getting more footfalls too. 

So, to answer the question we first asked, does the Maruti Suzuki Baleno live the Nexa dream? With a strong product that offers a lot for its price, reliable power plants and most importantly has the ‘Maruti bharosa’ going for it, we sure think it does. In fact, it wouldn't be too bold to say, the Baleno is the most promising product Maruti Suzuki has brought in to step into the premium space.  

Initial export volumes of 5000-6000 units expected monthly.

Maruti Suzuki India is all set to export the Baleno to its parent company, Suzuki Motor Corp in Japan. The Baleno, launched in New Delhi on October 26, will be the first ‘Make in India and sell’ global model for Maruti Suzuki.

Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and CEO, said, “The Baleno is not only for India but for the global markets and will be exported to 100 countries from India.”
Initial monthly volumes of 5,000-6,000 units are on the radar as exports to Japan and Europe. These will be scaled up to 55,000 annually for the global markets by next year to accommodate export volumes for Latin America (Chile, Mexico, Uruguay), almost all of Europe barring East Europe, and South Asian countries.

The Baleno comes in petrol and diesel guises with the base VVT petrol Sigma model kicking off at an introductory price of Rs 4.99 lakh, with the CVT petrol variant costing Rs 6.76 lakh. The DDiS 190 diesel Sigma is priced at Rs 6.16 lakh with the top-end Alpha version costing Rs 8.11lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). Safety features such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD and seatbelt pretensioners come as standard across all variants. It will also be the first car to offer the Apple CarPlay in India.

The Baleno will rival the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai Elite i20.

Courtesy : Autocar

Maruti Suzuki India that recently rolled out its premium hatchback Baleno in the country, has now announced to bring in the much-awaited Vitara compact SUV by April, 2016. The announcement came from the company's officials during a media interaction. The company also confirmed that the Maruti Suzuki Vitara will be showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo.

The India-bound Maruti Suzuki Vitara might look more or less similar to the iV-4 concept based model that had made its debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Interestingly, the Vitara's production model is built on the same platform on which the Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha concept was built which was showcased at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

Though there are rumours about the company's plans of bringing in a sub-4 metre version of the Vitara, we believe it will be the international model that's currently on sale in a few markets. This will also help the company position it against other urban SUVs including the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and the upcoming Honda BR-V. And the overwhelming response for the Hyundai Creta, which is an above 4-metre SUV, would have pushed Maruti Suzuki for a similar product strategy.

As far as the engine options for the Maruti Suzuki Vitara are concerned, the company has an option to consider using a 1.4-litre VVT petrol, a 1.3-litre multijet diesel and a 1.6-litre multijet diesel.

Mercedes AMG GT will be available only in the high-performance S spec for India.

Mercedes will launch the high-performance AMG GT supercar in India on November 24, 2015. Internationally, the AMG GT has been launched in two guises – the standard GT and the more powerful GT S version. India will get the latter.

The Mercedes AMG GT is the second production model to be conceived, engineered and developed at Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance car division at Affalterbach in Germany. It is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine good for 456bhp in the standard model, while the India-bound S version makes 503bhp. Developed from scratch, the direct-injection 4.0-litre V8 features twin turbochargers mounted inside the cylinder banks, and the carmaker claims this has optimised throttle response and reduced emissions.

The GT retains the exaggerated proportions of its predecessor, the SLS AMG supercar, albeit with more contemporary detailing. The new model has ditched the SLS’s heavy gull-wing doors for a lighter, front-hinged arrangement. At the rear, the AMG GT adopts a liftback-style tailgate in place of a conventional boot lid, intended to improve the car’s everyday practicality by allowing easier access to the luggage compartment.

Channelling the GT’s power to the rear wheels is a revised version of the Getrag-engineered seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox used on the SLS. Official performance figures for the GT S are 0-100kph time of 3.8 seconds and top speed of 310kph.

Mercedes has launched 13 models in India this year as a plan of launching a total of 15 models. The AMG GT S is the penultimate launch for this year. 

Courtesy : Autocar

5 new Bonnevilles set to replace the current classic bike, offered with two new engine platforms.

You’ll see some of these Bonnevilles launched in India around the coming Indian Auto Expo, all available with substantially more potent engines, displacing 900cc or a full-blown 1200cc, in parallel-twin layouts, with liquid-cooling and fuel-injection.

Unsurprisingly, styling for all the new Bonnies shall remain retro, just as stately, a throwback to the ‘days of the Raj’ if you like, with new generation, sturdier tubular steel frames holding them together.

The most affordable Bonnevilles are to be the Street Twin, certain to be the most popular of the lot in India. The Street Twin is easily distinguished by means of its 10-spoke alloy rims, as well as black for much of the lower bike, including a handsomely detailed engine and wheels. Also offered with the Street Twin are a set of smoothly profiled, brush finished exhausts, that we heard sounding exciting and throaty. Expect aggressive pricing for the Street Twin, close to the present day Bonneville, while offering so much more. The Street twin is powered by a four-stroke, 900cc, parallel-twin powerplant, running 4-valves per cylinder, and making 8.16kgm of maximum torque, as Triumph has managed to extract at an amazingly low 3,200rpm.

There’s plenty of punch across the rev range we are told, on the Street Twin, as well as all other new Bonnies. So, expect the Street Twin to live up to its name, to excel with easy rideability in the mess of urban Indian traffic. Torque is 18 percent more than the present day Bonneville.

You also get ride-by-wire throttle management, and a 270 degree firing order between the cylinders, with a 6-speed transmission. Triumph tells us the new Street Twins offer a 36 percent bump-up in fuel-efficiency, despite the promise of more exhilarating performance. There’s also an improved riding saddle, slimmer ‘waist’ line, and longer travel suspension.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Street Twin won’t feel a budget Bonnie, Triumph walking the extra mile to load up their new motorcycle with goodies like a switchable traction control system, a slip assisted, lighter feel clutch, and also switchable ABS brakes. The Street Twin comes with a single disc rotor in front. In terms of features, the Street Twin gives you a gear-indicator, USB socket and engine immobilizer.

Next up is the T 120, a modern day Bonneville that leans more towards retro style, on which attention-to-detail takes a noticeable step-up. The T 120 comes with wire-spoke wheels, and generous splashes of chrome. Then there are also bright and shiny peashooter exhausts with unmistakable old-school shape, and twin disc brakes in front.

The Bonneville T 120 also comes with twin-pod instruments. Triumph has worked to improve ergonomics on all 2016 Bonnevilles.

The T 120 offers a big leap in terms of performance, thanks to a four-stroke, 8-valve, 1,200cc, parallel-twin powerplant, that’s pleasantly gruff and grunty to the ear. The bike makes a hefty 10.7kgm of maximum torque, again at an astonishing 3,100rpm. There’s a 270 degree firing order, with torque output 54 percent up from todays Bonnevilles.

Just like the Street Twin, the T 120 comes with a ride-by-wire throttle and six-speeds, plus slip-assisted clutch. Also twin riding modes of ‘road’ and ‘rain.’ The engine-cooling system has been smartly optimized to leave a minimal impact on retro styling, undoubtedly to be thoroughly put to the test when the bikes are ridden in India.

The T 120 provides the luxury of heated grips for comfortable riding on winter mornings, with three-level heating, apart from a USB charging point. There’s even cruise-control, although optional.

There’s a twist in the T 120 tale, namely the T 120 Black. This variant adds more black, contrasted smartly by a dark brown seat and matte graphite shades.

Expect the Bonnevilles above to offer a comfortable, upright riding position, as you can count on being a big differentiator between these and the sportier Thruxton, up next.

The upgraded Thruxton and Thruxton R models look stunning, styled to thrill for 2016, and generously equipped by Triumph with really top drawer specifications plus all the equipment you could wish for. Beautiful detailing can be seen in a finely crafted Monza style fuel-filler cap, and nifty bar end mirrors. Although held together by spokes, the 17-inch Thruxton wheel rims are alloy constructed, just like the swingarm.

Extras on the up-market Thruxton R include a colour matched seat cowl, buffed steering headstock and clear anodized swingarm.

Triumph has worked to not only make the new, lower and meaner bikes look high performance, but also go like high performance machines.

The Thruxtons come with a specially tuned, four-stroke, 8-valve, 1,200cc, parallel-twin powerplant. Features within include higher compression, a lighter crankshaft and revised airbox. The Thruxton spec engine delivers 11kgm of maximum torque, twisted out at a sportier 5,000rpm. The liquid-cooled engines offer ride-by-wire throttle control, and suitably styled throttle bodies to match the motorcycles retro character. The gearbox is 6-ratio, supported by a torque assisted clutch.

The Thruxton R comes with stainless steel exhausts without catalytic converters for added oomph, a more aggressive hot-cam and washable air-filter. Apart from this, Showa made big-piston upside down front forks, Ohlins fully adjustable suspension at rear and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa Tyres. The floating twin disc brakes in front are chomped on by monobloc construction Brembo calipers.

The 2016 Thruxtons have three riding modes, ‘road, ‘rain’ or ‘sport’, that delivers instant response. Also, you get switchable traction control and ABS for the brakes.

From all this, on paper, its crystal clear Triumph has gone out of their way to ensure each of these new Bonneville bikes are no-compromise engineered to rock their market space. While rides of the new Bonnies will confirm these early impressions, British biking seems like it could be headed right back to its very best. Back to the Bonnevilles that is! While surely but steadily riding straight ahead. Once accomplished, Triumph can rightfully stake claim to having singlehandedly managed this comeback.

Courtesy : Autocar