MotorScribes Magazine - April 2016
MotorScribes Magazine - April 2016
MotorScribes Magazine - April 2016
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Theinteriorsarespotonandthereisrealynothingworthcomplainingabout.Theonlyrealquestion<br />
markdoesarisefrom MarutiSuzuki’schoiceofgoingwithanal-blacklayout.Beforeyoushrugyour<br />
shouldersandwince,thegamblehasworkedanditdoeslookratherelegant.Theplasticsandfabrics<br />
alhaveapremium feelandthefitandfinishisrightupthere.Thesteeringwheelfeelsgreatandcomes<br />
withsteeringmountedcontrols,plusyougetaneatTFTmultiinformationdisplayintheinstrument<br />
clusterthatshowsyouaplethoraofinformationincludingacool‘PowerandTorque’display!The<br />
centreconsolegetsanupmarkettouchscreeninfotainmentsystem andtheBalenoisalsothefirstcar<br />
initsclasstoofertheAppleCarPlaysystem whichalowsyoutoaccessthecompletefunctionsof<br />
youriPhone including Siri(too bad ifyou don’town an Apple iPhone!Butalisnotlost,your<br />
smartphonecanstilpairwiththesystem throughBluetoothandyoualsohavetheUSBandSD card<br />
slotsforanyaddedinformationyouwouldliketoaccess).Thecaralsocomeswithclimatecontrol<br />
air-conditioningandthedisplayisaneatroundLED displaythataddsatouchofclasstothedash.<br />
Furthermoreyoualsogettilt&telescopingsteeringadjust,keylessstart/stopandareverseparking<br />
camera.<br />
Thecabinisniceandspaciousandwhilethefrontseatsaretheplacetobefortalpeople,thesurprise<br />
packagewastherearbenchthathasoodlesoflegroom.Despitetheloweringroofline,headroom<br />
hasn’tbeensacrificedandonthewhole,theutilizationofspaceontheBalenohasbeenfocusedon<br />
passengercomfort.ThereasonIsaythisisbecausethebootcanonlyfitin339litresofluggageand<br />
thenyoualsohavetheadditionalissueofthehighrearbumper–whichmakesitatasktoloadaheavy<br />
bagintotheback.But,theBalenoispredominantlyacitycarandforthatpurposeitisgreatthatthe<br />
focushasbeenonpassengercomfortratherthansacrificingpreciouslegroom forafew morelitresof<br />
trunkvolume.Ifit’sanyconsolation,youcangetyourgolfbagsinthebackwithoutanyhindrance!<br />
Asmentionedearlier,thenew Balenocomeswithachoiceoftwoengineoptions,namelythe1.2litre<br />
petrolandthe1.3litreDDiSdieselunit.BoththeseenginesareincidentalystraightoutoftheSwift.I<br />
gottosamplethe 197ccpetrolenginefirstandasIeasedontotheJaipur-Delhihighwayitwas<br />
immediatelyapparentthatthisengineisjustadequatefortheBaleno.Itlackedthepunchthatone<br />
wouldexpectfrom suchacarandIfoundmyselfcontinuouslywishingthattherewasmorejuiceinthe<br />
engine.The1.4litreunitoutoftheCiazwouldhavebeenadelight,butthenMarutiwouldhavetosay<br />
bye-byetotheexcisecutandtheBalenowouldcostdearer.Havingsaidthat,itwouldhavebeena<br />
greatstrategytofolow whatFordIndiaisuptobyoferingonevariantthatboastsofalargerengine<br />
–i.e.the1.5litrepetrolFigo.A 1.4litreversionoftheBalenowouldeasilyfilthatgapforMarutiand<br />
idealyitshouldbeworthconsidering.Havingsaidthat,thelitle1.2litreunitisratherrefinedand<br />
churnsout83bhp@ 6000rpm whileofering 15Nm oftorque@ 4000rpm.Itismatedtoa5speed<br />
manualtransmissionthatisniceandslickandyoualsogettheoptionofaCVTboxwhichwefoundto<br />
beadequateforcitydriving,howeverlosesoutabitinthedrivedynamicsdepartment.The1.3DDiSis<br />
amarvelousengineandwehavealwaysbeenafanofthisunit.
Change language