For the first time in over a year, the Hyundai Elite i20 premium hatchback has outsold the Maruti Baleno, but only just. In December 2018, Hyundai shipped out 11,940 units of the Elite i20 while Maruti managed to send out 11,135 units of the Baleno during the same period. And the reason isn’t hard to fathom. Maruti is all set to launch a facelifted version of the Baleno this month, and the drop in shipments is meant to realign inventory levels.
This is a typical strategy that almost all automakers use ahead of a new launch, especially when one car is about to be replaced by another. The month on month numbers for the Baleno show a dip of over 60 %, and this is the clearest sign of a new model coming in. If you’re shopping for a Maruti Baleno this month, press hard for discounts given the fact that a facelifted version is just around the corner. Dealers are likely to offer decent discount on the pre-facelift Baleno now that a new version is about to be launched.
The facelifted version of the Maruti Baleno will get a bunch of changes. On the outside, a new grille will be the major change on the front end of the car while the bumper will also get a reprofiling. The alloy wheel design is likely to change while things on the inside will be more or less unchanged in terms of design. As for features, the facelifted car is expected to offer rear parking sensors and a speed warning as standard safety features across trims.
The engines and gearboxes are likely to be carried over too. The Baleno will be offered with 2 petrol engines – a 1.2 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated unit with 83 Bhp-113 Nm, and a 1 liter-3 cylinder turbocharged unit with 101 Bhp 150 Nm in RS trim. The diesel motor will be the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet unit with 74 Bhp-190 Nm. All engines will get 5 speed manual gearboxes as standard. The 1.2 liter petrol motor will get a CVT automatic gearbox as an option.
Coming back to the Hyundai Elite i20, it’s one of the most popular premium hatchbacks in India after the Baleno. The car is spacious and premium, and also is a sharp looker. As for features, the Hyundai Elite i20 is more loaded than the Baleno, and is similarly priced. It has a more powerful diesel engine in the form of the 1.4 liter CRDI U2 unit, which makes 89 Bhp-220 Nm. A 6 speed manual gearbox is standard with this diesel engine.
As for the petrol engine offered, a 1.2 liter VTVT unit with 82 Bhp-114 Nm is standard. This engine gets 5 speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox options. The Hyundai Elite i20 received a facelift early last year, and a full model change is expected to happen in 2020. Until then though, the Elite i20 will continue unchanged. Average ex showroom prices start from Rs. 5.43 lakhs.
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