Maruti May Launch Hybrid Variant Of Its Popular Baleno Hatchback In India, Test Car Spotted

Maruti Suzuki has big plans for India with its electric and hybrid vehicle lineup. The company had earlier announced that it will be bringing all-electric versions of WagonR in the country. Now, it seems that the firm will also be introducing a hybrid variant of its mid-segment offering, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno.

Maruti has been shipping mild hybrid variants of the Baleno to several of its international markets for over three years now. A recent video now shows one such hybrid variant being tested on the roads in India. While the entire design and look of the vehicle is the same as the regular variant, the car seen in the video carries a ¡®Smart Hybrid¡¯ badge.

Needless to say, the badge indicates the hybrid variant of the vehicle. Also, since the one seen in the video did not have a DDiS badge, it means that the variant is a petrol one. So the 1.2-litre petrol engine of the Baleno, churning out 84PS of power and 115Nm of torque, will now be having an additional mild hybrid system.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Smart Hybrid (Image: Cartoq)

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That would put the Smart Hybrid variant over the vehicle¡¯s petrol one in terms of their power output. Simultaneously, it will also be more efficient than the diesel variant. So the Smart Hybrid variant of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno marks an important transition in the company¡¯s strategy in the country. With diesel engines set to become more expensive with the BSVI norms, the Smart Hybrid will help Maruti Suzuki keep options open for its customers.

So what is the Smart Hybrid system?

A name provided by Maruti Suzuki, the system works like any other hybrid vehicle. It comes equipped with a dual battery setup, one of which is a lithium ion battery. The energy from the battery is used to assist acceleration and even the start stop mechanism of the vehicle.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Smart Hybrid (Image: Cartoq)

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As far as the ¡®smartness¡¯ in the system is concerned, it is used to denote its functionality wherein the it automatically stops the engine while it is on idle. It even starts it when the optimal conditions are met. The system also appoints regenerative braking, meaning, the lithium ion battery gets charged every time the brakes are applied.

As of now, only two cars from the house of Maruti Suzuki use this system with a petrol system - Ciaz and Ertiga.

The environmentally friendlier variant is expected to be launched by next year, as the company has mentioned a similar timeline for the all-electric WagonR as well. Once it does, expect it to cost a lot more than the regular petrol variant.