Maruti Suzuki Baleno gets Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto via an OTA update

One of the best-selling hatchbacks in the country offered by the largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Limited – the all-new Baleno has just received a massive over-the-air update. Recently, the company released an OTA software update for its hatchback that enables the car’s nine-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system to support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The update will only be offered for the top spec Zeta and Alpha variants. Furthermore, it will also allow the car to have turn-by-turn navigation on the heads-up display and the MID in the instrument cluster. The all-new Baleno that the company launched in February this year was already a feature-packed vehicle, but these additions will now further boost sales of this already successful hatchback. Recently, the company also introduced a similar OTA update for its newly-launched sub-compact SUV Brezza and is rumored to offer the same for its premium MPC – the XL6.

Maruti Suzuki debuted the new Baleno facelift in February this year. MSIL has launched the hatchback in four variants – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. The starting price for this premium hatchback sold at NEXA dealers is Rs 6.35 lakh and it goes up to Rs 9.49 lakh, ex-showroom.

Also Read: 10 FORGOTTEN ‘Estates’ from India: Tata Indigo Marina to Maruti Baleno Altura

The recently released hatchback is very different from the previous model. The exterior and interior of the vehicle have almost all undergone major changes. The front of the car has a completely new look. A new bumper, headlights with integrated LED DRLs and a redesigned bonnet lid have all been introduced by Maruti Suzuki. The car gets new alloy wheels with the top-end variant and there is an additional chrome belt to give a premium look. The rear gets new C-shaped taillights. The size of the tail lamps is massive. The rear also gets a new bumper.

Meanwhile on the inside, the cabin gets a new dashboard. Maruti Suzuki has updated the theme to a dual-tone black and blue with silver inserts across the dashboard. The car also comes with a new flat-bottom steering wheel. Maruti Suzuki has also added a new larger infotainment screen measuring 9.0 inches. The two new segment-first features are the 360-degree camera and the pop-up Heads-Up Display (HUD). The HUD fitted in front of the steering wheel and it used a pop-up screen to display information.

Other features like the automatic climate control system, automatic headlights, UV cut glass, AKRKAMYS surround sound system, leather wrapped steering wheel, auto dimming IRVM. Maruti Suzuki also offers Alexa-connected services and new connected features. Maruti Suzuki has also added as many as six airbags to the new Baleno. There are other safety features including ESC and hill holder.

Maruti Suzuki offers only a single engine option with the new Baleno facelift. The 1.2-litre offers an idle-start-stop system with all variants. It produces a maximum power of 90 PS and a peak torque of 113 Nm. Maruti Suzuki is offering the AMT transmission with the Baleno, which is for the first time ever. However, the brand has removed the CVT transmission.

The new Baleno does not offer a mild hybrid system, not even the top-end variant of the car. The new Baleno returns around 22.35 km/l with the manual compared to 23.87 km/l. The AMT variant returns a maximum of 22.94 km/l. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno CVT has come with a proven fuel efficiency of 19.56 lkm/l.

Also Read: 10 DC Design Cars And How They Look In The REAL World: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Also Read: 10 DC Design Cars And How They Look In The REAL World: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500