Rumour: Maruti Baleno Petrol SHVS in the works

Recent reports claim that Maruti Suzuki is working on an SHVS petrol variant of the Baleno premium hatchback. A few spy shots of the said model have also been leaked on the Internet, though the spotted model is reportedly in the export-spec. As a result, it is still not verified whether Maruti Suzuki would be introducing the Baleno petrol SHVS in the Indian market.

The spotted model houses a newly set up engine, which shares its base with the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder K-series engine. But the difference lies in the fact that the new engine packs dual injectors into one. This is probably the reason that the new model is expected to be called the Baleno DualJet. This change in the engine setup will likely boost power as well as economy figures of the Baleno.

The source of these images also claims that the new Baleno DualJet will require higher octane fuel, and is thus being tested in India to ascertain that it can easily run on the fuel readily available in the country. The Baleno DualJet is expected to be the country's first petrol powered car to feature the SHVS mild-hybrid technology.

Maruti Suzuki is also planning to launch an RS variant of the Baleno which will be powered by a 1.0-litre BoosterJet engine.

Source: Overdrive