It is no secret that Maruti Suzuki is planning on bringing a slew of SUVs to the Indian market. However, one of the new models that will come will sit somewhere in between a hatchback and an SUV. This model will be the coupe-style cross-hatch, the Baleno Cross. Maruti Suzuki’s codename for this particular model is YTB.
Maruti Suzuki has already started road testing the Baleno Cross. Multiple spy shots of the model have also surfaced online. The Baleno Cross will likely make its global debut at the upcoming Auto Expo in January 2023. Post which, a market launch will likely follow in February 2023.
Now according to a recent report, Maruti Suzuki will equip the Baleno Cross with its 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine. Thus, the engine option will make a comeback in Maruti Suzuki’s Indian lineup.
Maruti Suzuki’s first and only turbo-petrol engine was the 1.0-litre Boosterjet. The engine made its debut with the first generation of Baleno in 2017. Maruti Suzuki offered the Boosterjet engine alongside the standard engine lineup in the Baleno. However, the turbo-petrol mill was only offered with the top-spec Baleno RS. The sportier model of the Baleno saw poor sales figures. Furthermore, with the introduction of stricter BS6 emission norms, Maruti Suzuki decided to discontinue it. This was because it did not make sense for the brand to upgrade the engine to meet BS6 norms just for the Baleno RS.
Now, the engine is set to return with the Baleno Cross in 2023. The engine will mostly be the same as the previous 998cc unit. However, Maruti Suzuki will make it BS6-compliant. In the Baleno RS, which was BS4-compliant, the engine made 102 HP and 150 Nm of torque. As for the transmission, the brand only offered it with a 5-speed manual. In the Baleno Cross, the 1.0-litre Boosterjet will likely have similar output figures. Additionally, it could also get mild-hybrid tech and a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The latter will be the same as the one Maruti Suzuki currently uses in some of its other offerings.
Apart from the 1.0-litre Boosterjet, Maruti Suzuki will also offer a naturally aspirated petrol engine. This could be the 1.2-litre DualJet motor which is also available with the Baleno, WagonR, Swift and Dzire. Maruti Suzuki could also offer the bigger 1.5-litre DualJet engine with mild-hybrid technology. This engine does duty in the Ertiga and XL6. Furthermore, the upcoming Grand Vitara uses this engine. Unlike the Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki will not offer the AllGrip AWD system with the Baleno Cross.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Cross YTB continues road testing