Suzuki Baleno
Suzuki Baleno (in the U.S. known as the Suzuki Esteem) produced by the Japanese company Suzuki Motor Corporation is the export version of the Suzuki Cultus Crescent. In India is manufactured by Maruti and Maruti Baleno sold as.
Baleno was introduced to the international market in 1995 and was the debut of Suzuki in segment C. At this time in Europe in the segment dominated by models such as the Volkswagen Golf cars and Opel Astra, and Japanese Nissan Sunny and Toyota Corolla. Baleno is built on the same platform as the Suzuki Swift (called the Suzuki Cultus in Japan), with extended wheelbase and increased cabin. Many of the components he took over from his younger brother, however, market was introduced as a new and separate model.
Baleno was initially available as a 3-door hatchback or 4-door sedan with engines 1.3 L, 1.6 L and 1.8 L with maximum power of 85hp (63 kW), 97hp (73 kW) and 121hp (89 kW). In 1996 he introduced a 5-door station wagon version called Baleno Break (Esteem Wagon in America, Baleno Altutra in India and Cultus Crescent Wagon in Japan). It was the first car with bodywork combo in the history of the company. Used in the already known 1.6 L engine, this model variant optional Equipment was in a four-wheel drive.
Suzuki Baleno was modernized in 1999. Was revised front end and dashboard (heating sliders replaced buttons). In North America, the Esteem 1.8 Station Wagon completely replaced the Esteem 1.6, and in many markets sedan with a 1.8 L engine became the sports model of Suzuki. In the UK and Australia 1.8 L unit mounted in hatchbackach and sold in a limited edition Baleno GSR (version before the facelift marked was a GSX and was sold exclusively in the Benelux). European versions were equipped Baleno also supplied by Peugeot diesel engine (with turbocharger and intercooler without) 1.9 L 75hp (55 kW).
Esteem/Baleno was replaced in many markets by the model Liana/Aerio. Production in Japan ended in 2002, transferring it to other countries. In the same year, was withdrawn from the European market and the U.S. after the parallel sale of Liana/Aerio. The car remained available in the markets of many developing countries (among others. India, the countries of South Asia) until 2007, when its production was halted at Maruti factory and its tape assembly adapted for the production of the Suzuki SX4 sedan.
121