Live from the Launch, Sept. 6 -- The 2026 Maruti Baleno Sets a New Benchmark
It was an electric atmosphere at the JW Marriott, Golfshire on the outskirts of Bengaluru as Maruti Suzuki unveiled the 2026 Baleno under the campaign 'Dare to go Glam'. The evening was crafted to resonate with a young, cosmopolitan audience, setting a glamorous tone for India's top-selling premium hatchback. As one of the media representatives present at this launch, I got a first-hand look at how Maruti Suzuki is elevating its NEXA brand experience. On stage, Mr. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales, shared that 1 in 3 premium cars sold in India is a Baleno. He highlighted that NEXA's footprint is expanding rapidly beyond Tier 1 cities to tap into widespread urban demand, backed by strong initial momentum with bookings open at an initial amount of INR 11,000.
What is New in the 2026 Maruti Baleno?
While the overall silhouette maintains the Baleno's familiar stance, Maruti Suzuki has introduced sharp visual updates and segment-leading technology:
Refreshed Front Design: Features a wide NEXWave front grille with prominent 3D patterns and horizontal chrome slats, a restyled front bumper, chrome fender garnishes, and NEXTre' LED DRLs.
New Color Option: Introduces an ocean-inspired Enigmatic Teal paint shade alongside six existing colors.
Segment-First Level 2 ADAS: Equipped with radar and camera sensors offering eight active safety features, including Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Forward Collision Warning.
Upgraded Interior Comfort: Introduces first-in-segment ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery, a Premium Sound System by Clarion, and a Qi-certified wireless charger with active cooling.
Advanced Z12E Engine: Powered by a new 1.2-litre Z12E engine producing 82.93 PS and 112.4 Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency stands at 23.80 km/l for the 5-speed manual, 24.77 km/l for the AGS automatic, and 33.61 km/kg for the S-CNG variant.
Connected Tech & Safety: Features a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen, 360-degree camera, Head-Up Display (HUD), 6 airbags, ESP, and TPMS.
Live Photo Gallery
Explore our exclusive live photos captured directly from the launch event floor at JW Marriott Golfshire, alongside high-resolution studio photos highlighting the new front fascia and Enigmatic Teal color shade.
Key Specifications
SpecificationDetailEngine TypeAdvanced Z12E 1.2L Petrol / S-CNGMax Power82.93 PS (61 kW) @ 5700 rpmMax Torque112.4 Nm @ 4500 rpmTransmission5-Speed Manual / AGS AutomaticFuel EfficiencyPetrol MT: 23.80 km/l | AGS: 24.77 km/l | S-CNG: 33.61 km/kgKey SafetyLevel 2 ADAS (8 Functions), 6 Airbags, ESP, TPMS
2026 Maruti Baleno Pricing & On-Road Price
VariantTransmissionEx-Showroom Price (Bengaluru)Check On-Road PriceBaleno Base (Sigma)5-Speed ManualStarting at Rs 6,09,900Check On-Road Price BangaloreBaleno Delta5-Speed MT / AGSStandard Variant PricingCheck On-Road Price BangaloreBaleno Zeta5-Speed MT / AGSMid-Spec Variant PricingCheck On-Road Price BangaloreBaleno Alpha / Alpha (O)5-Speed MT / AGSTop-Spec ADAS Variant PricingCheck On-Road Price Bangalore
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the starting price of the new 2026 Maruti Baleno? The 2026 Maruti Baleno starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs 6,09,900 in Bengaluru.
Which new engine powers the 2026 Baleno? It is powered by the new Z12E 1.2-litre engine, delivering improved fuel efficiency of up to 24.77 km/l on petrol and 33.61 km/kg on S-CNG.
Does the 2026 Maruti Baleno feature ADAS? Yes, the 2026 Baleno introduces segment-first Level 2 ADAS equipped with radar and camera technology, offering eight active safety features.
What are the key interior upgrades in the new Baleno? Interior additions include segment-first ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery, a Clarion premium sound system, and a wireless phone charger with active cooling.
New 2026 Maruti Baleno Photos (Studio)
New 2026 Maruti Baleno Launch Photos
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Read the full article: 2026 Maruti Baleno Launched at Rs 6.10 Lacs - Gets L2 ADAS & Z-Series Engine
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from GaadiKey.