Rumour: Maruti Baleno Facelift to get 1.5L Diesel

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There have been rumours suggesting that Maruti Suzuki is likely to offer a 1.5-litre diesel engine on the upcoming Ciaz facelift, which will replace the current 1.3-litre unit. Now, according to some reports, the new diesel engine will also be offered on the Baleno facelift, which might be launched by Q1 2019. Production of the Baleno facelift is rumoured to kick-off by September this year.

Currently, the Baleno is offered with a Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 74 BHP @ 4,000 rpm and 190 Nm of torque @ 2,000 rpm. This will be replaced with the 1.5-litre unit that is reportedly being developed by Maruti in-house. The new engine will be BS-VI compliant and is likely to be available other models including the next-gen Ertiga. However, detailed specifications of the 1.5-litre engine have not yet been disclosed.

Meanwhile, the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine is likely to be carried over on the Baleno facelift. This engine produces 83 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. Both petrol and diesel engines come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT offered on the petrol version.

It is believed that the new engine will be built at a separate engine production facility. Further, construction of the 2nd production line at Maruti Suzuki's Gujarat plant has commenced. The company is also planning for the 3rd production line to be ready by 2021.