Most of the Maruti cars are high on the sales charts. Such has been its dominance in the market. But the hatchback crossover segment is a segment that Maruti has never seen. In the past, we have had many players in this segment who attract buyers whereas Maruti stayed away from this segment. However, the brand may be planning to do something eventually. At least that’s what the Baleno Cross plans suggest. In today’s article, we will discuss this plan to revive a popular segment with the new Maruti Baleno.
Why would Maruti do this?
Before the SUV craze, hatchback crossovers were in trend in the country. This segment included cars like the Hyundai i20 Active, Volkswagen Polo Cross, Fiat Avventura and Toyota Etios Cross. But over time, this section died out. So why would Maruti return to such a segment? With no competition, Maruti has felt the need for such cars. Hence it is being said that it is working on a crossover version of Baleno. In terms of styling, it will mostly lie between a hatchback and an SUV.
Dimensions and Design
Dimensions like length and width are expected to remain the same. However, Maruti may increase the suspension to improve its ground clearance and give it an SUV-like stance. So we could see an increase in height. What about design? The overall design is expected to remain the same, but Maruti may add more cladding to give the car a rough and tough look.
New Maruti Baleno – Specifications
The Baleno Cross will most likely continue with the same 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine option. This engine makes 88bhp and 113Nm of torque. Transmission options may include a manual and an automatic option. Maruti would like to attract maximum number of customers for this car, so skipping the automatic gearbox may not be possible for them.
features
The new Baleno is loaded with many features. So we expect the Baleno Cross to carry most of these features. It is expected to carry features like 360-degree parking camera, heads-up display and 9.0-inch infotainment system. Will it get some Baleno Cross exclusive features? Maruti can surprise everyone with the sunroof in Baleno Cross. However, we will have to wait to understand exactly what Maruti is planning.
New Maruti Baleno – Launch Timeline
So, when is it coming? According to estimates, it can be launched by the middle of 2023. As far as the price is concerned, the Baleno Cross could be priced between Rs 70k to Rs 1 lakh more than the regular Baleno. Looking at Maruti, can Hyundai bring back the i20 Active? Nothing is known yet, but Hyundai may consider bringing back the i20 Active. What do you think about this segment? Do you think it can flourish in this day and age of micro and compact SUVs? Put your thoughts in the comment section.
