Maruti builds Baleno 1.4L, exports it to South Africa

Thank you to Utkarsha Mohan for sending in this information. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts!

Maruti Suzuki launched the Baleno in India with the familiar 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines. We also know that the company is testing a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is likely to be used in the future (link to news). However, for the South African market, Maruti is using the 1.4-litre engine from the Ciaz.

The engine in question is the K14B petrol unit. This is the same engine that is found in the Ciaz sedan and Ertiga MPV. It produces 91 BHP and 130 Nm of torque. The Baleno 1.4 has been exported to South Africa. Like India, the Ciaz and Ertiga are available with a combination of this engine and a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic in South Africa.

For Japan, Maruti is using a 1.2-litre petrol to power the Baleno. Interestingly, this is not the same 1,197cc engine that is sold in the Indian market, but a K12C unit that displaces 1,242cc and is mated to a CVT gearbox. The engine produces around 90 BHP and 120 Nm of torque. Three vehicles with this engine have been exported to Japan. Some other Suzuki cars are available in far eastern countries with this engine - transmission combination as well.

It doesn't seem likely that Maruti will use either of these engines in India due to the <1.2L excise duty benefits rule.

Source: Zauba