The Star: February 22, 2018

6 Motoring
Price – Suzuki Baleno RS, $25,990
Dimensions – Length, 3995mm; width, 1745mm; height, 1470mm
Configuration – Four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, 998cc, 82kW, 160Nm,
six-speed automatic.
Performance –
0-100km/h, 10.5sec
Fuel usage – 5.2l/100km
By Ross Kiddie
When Suzuki’s new Swift landed here
midway through last year, it arrived with a
choice of two petrol engines – a naturally
aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit and a
1-litre turbocharged three-cylinder.
I’ve driven both variants and can’t
conclusively decide which power plant I
prefer, so it’s pretty much an even contest
at this stage, they both have endearing
characteristics.
However, I do have leanings towards
the three-cylinder turbo; it is amazingly
honest and thrifty and, given that I used to
have a Suzuki Alto as a company vehicle,
I’m still quite smitten with the honesty of
the traditional three-potter.
All that aside, it was only a matter of
time before Suzuki transported the 1-litre
turbo unit into other vehicles in its lineup,
and first to get a choice is the Baleno,
a small-to-medium hatchback that landed
in New Zealand early in 2017. The Baleno
is still available with its 1.4-litre fourcylinder
unit, but the option of the turbo
engine adds just a little bit of spice into the
series.
The Baleno 1.4 lists from
$21,990, the turbo threecylinder
adds around
$4000, which are still
affordable prices, as we
have come to expect
from Suzuki.
The Baleno
turbo comes with
reasonably high
specification; it is
rated in RS form
and that includes
specification items such
as satellite navigation,
steering-wheel-mounted
automatic gearshift paddle selectors,
keyless entry and ignition, cruise control
with speed limiter and climate control.
Other noteworthy features are the
extensive dash panel display graphics,
which monitor engine performance and
economy. Some of them are quite vivid
and perhaps a little distracting, but they
are interesting and certainly act as a
guide as to how smooth driving benefits
economy.
At just over four metres the Baleno isn’t
Turbocharger
adds spice
to an honest drive
big, but its compact proportions
don’t overly jeopardise
cabin comfort. The seats
are supportive and
there is a vast array of
adjustment up front,
including height.
At the other end,
Suzuki claims a
355-litre load space
in a very deep cargo
load area; if you are
travelling just two up,
the rear seats fold flat
to offer up to a healthy
756-litres.
On the subject of figures, Suzuki
rates the engine with 82kW and 160Nm.
If you stack that up against the non-turbo
unit at 68kW and 130Nm, you can see it
gets about a 20 per cent lift in power. If
you also add in the long, flat torque curve,
which is a byproduct of the turbocharging
procedure, then you have an engine that
delivers solid power right through the rev
band, and in the Baleno’s case, all of the
way from 1500rpm to 4000rpm, close to
the point of maximum power at 5500rpm.
While these figures are significant
in terms of mechanical engineering,
it’s probably the end result in terms of
performance and efficiency that is most
notable. The Baleno in this form will
accelerate to 100km/h from a standstill in
10.5sec, and will complete an overtaking
manoeuvre in 7sec.
In terms of fuel use, the Suzuki
claims a 5.2-litre per 100km (53mpg)
combined cycle average. That compares
to 5.1l/100km and 5.4l/100km for the 1.4
engine (manual and automatic). During
my time with the test car the fuel usage
readout constantly listed around 6l/100km
(47mpg), while an instantaneous figure
of 4l/100km (70mpg) is achievable on a
highway cruise with the engine turning
over at just 1900rpm at 100km/h.
I must stress, as well, that while all of
these computations are healthy, it must be
remembered the turbocharger shouldn’t
be seen as a mechanism to force blistering
LIGHT-WEIGHT
SELF PROPELLING
WHEELCHAIRS
• Pop off wheels
• Removable leg-rests
• 14”, 16” or 18” seat width
• Weight with wheels and leg-rests
removed is only 10.9kg
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• Maximum user weight 100kg
pace – it’s by far a device that will give
you satisfactory performance without
compromising the need for effective use
of fuel.
Many modern manufacturers are using
turbochargers to enhance this process
and it’s working well. Suzuki’s system is
on a par, and if you take into account the
Baleno’s overall design then both engines
are up to task.
The Baleno sits in a simplistic
suspension system – MacPherson struts
up front and a torsion beam rear axle
links both rear wheel hubs. While I much
prefer fully independent systems, there are
few under-$30k cars that involve those.
Nevertheless, the Baleno’s suspension is
soft, providing a smooth, comfortable incabin
ride. If you take into account its role,
then the suspension could be considered
perfect. However, there is a trade-off if
you are a regular Port Hills commuter;
body movement over the underpinnings is
present when corners are encountered.
I’m not saying it is massive, but you do
get lean. On the plus side, the steering
is sharp, and grip from the high-quality
Bridgestone tyres (185/55 x 16in) is
strong.
Interestingly, one of Suzuki’s other small
cars, the Celerio, also gets a three-cylinder
engine, which is much the same design
as the Baleno sans turbo. That’s just an
example of the crossover of engineering
platforms that Suzuki has embraced in
recent years.
As a company it is also outsourcing
manufacture. The Baleno arrives here
from India, and I must say the build
quality is as good as you get in other
Suzuki models, which are made in Japan
and Europe.
2017 was a busy year for Suzuki New
Zealand; several new models were released
– Ignis, S-Cross, Swift and Baleno – those
who do choose the turbo variant will be
more than pleased with the purchase. It’s a
great mixture of fun and honesty.
Lightweight WHEELCHAIRS
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PHONE 354 5616
108 Sawyers Arms Rd, Papanui, Christchurch
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