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Question of the Day: What do you think of DStv's new packages?
2016 Suzuki Baleno
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Toyota’s popular Starlet leaps from 0 to 4 stars in latest Global NCAP crash tests
After a disappointing 0-star rating for adult occupant protection earlier this year, Toyota’s popular hatchback has bounced back following a crucial safety update.
The Toyota Starlet has achieved a commendable 4-star rating for adult occupant protection in the latest Global NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests.
Earlier this year, the Indian-built hatchback – one of South Africa’s best-selling models – was heavily penalised for offering only 2 front airbags. Following the original test, Toyota made 6 airbags (including side curtain airbags) standard fitment across the locally offered range.
Putting the updated model to the test
Global NCAP independently funded a follow-up assessment to test the revised safety spec. The results proved the benefit of the extra equipment, with the Starlet securing 4 stars for adult protection and retaining its 3-star rating for child occupant protection.
The structural assessment revealed a stable footwell area, although the body shell was deemed unstable under further frontal loadings. In the side and pole impact tests, head, abdomen and pelvis protection scored well, while chest protection ranged from adequate to marginal. However, child occupant testing highlighted some ongoing vulnerabilities, noting that the head of the child dummy (simulating a 3-year-old child) made contact with the interior during the frontal impact.
After a disappointing 0-star rating for adult occupant protection earlier this year, Toyota’s popular hatchback has bounced back following a crucial safety update.
The Toyota Starlet has achieved a commendable 4-star rating for adult occupant protection in the latest Global NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests.
Earlier this year, the Indian-built hatchback – one of South Africa’s best-selling models – was heavily penalised for offering only 2 front airbags. Following the original test, Toyota made 6 airbags (including side curtain airbags) standard fitment across the locally offered range.
Putting the updated model to the test
Global NCAP independently funded a follow-up assessment to test the revised safety spec. The results proved the benefit of the extra equipment, with the Starlet securing 4 stars for adult protection and retaining its 3-star rating for child occupant protection.
The structural assessment revealed a stable footwell area, although the body shell was deemed unstable under further frontal loadings. In the side and pole impact tests, head, abdomen and pelvis protection scored well, while chest protection ranged from adequate to marginal. However, child occupant testing highlighted some ongoing vulnerabilities, noting that the head of the child dummy (simulating a 3-year-old child) made contact with the interior during the frontal impact.
supersunbird
Honorary Master
So do these Starlet changes translate over to the Belano automatically?
FiestaST
Honorary Master
It is a fair guess so make yes.
Obvs for NCAP they will need to run it with the Suzi.
HAL 9000
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FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Facelifted Suzuki Baleno revealed (with new engine)
The facelifted Suzuki Baleno hatchback has been revealed in India, sporting not only a few design tweaks but also a new 3-cylinder engine familiar from the Swift…
- Refreshed Baleno unwrapped in India
- Update includes new front-end design
- Indian-spec version switches to 3-pot
Meet the facelifted Suzuki Baleno. Unveiled in India where it’s produced by Maruti Suzuki, the refreshed version of the 2nd-generation hatchback features not only a handful of exterior design changes but also the latest “Z Series” 3-cylinder engine familiar from the Swift and Dzire.
Yes, while the current Baleno – which arrived in South Africa back in mid-2022 – employs the brand’s naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine in Mzansi (rather than the K12N mill used in the outgoing version in India), the updated model switches to the latest Z12E 3-pot that debuted in the Swift.
In the freshly revealed Indian-spec Baleno, this likewise atmospheric 1.2-litre petrol motor generates 61 kW and 112 Nm, with buyers offered the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (AMT) featuring the same number of cogs.
Of course, those peak outputs are down on the 77 kW and 138 Nm produced by the current SA-spec Baleno’s K15B powerplant. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that we don’t yet know if the hatchback will switch to the Z12E in South Africa or stick with the more powerful K15B.
What else does the Baleno’s mid-cycle update include? Well, the most significant styling changes come up front, where the sub-4-metre hatchback gains a new design for its grille, front bumper and foglamps. Interestingly, the Suzuki badge moves to just above the grille.
From what we can tell, much of the rear styling carries over unchanged, as does the alloy-wheel design (though the hatchback does now adopt a sharkfin antenna). It’s a similar case in the cabin, where the dashboard appears largely untouched, though the Indian market does gain new features like wireless smartphone charging and ventilated front seats.
The facelifted Suzuki Baleno hatchback has been revealed in India, sporting not only a few design tweaks but also a new 3-cylinder engine familiar from the Swift…
- Refreshed Baleno unwrapped in India
- Update includes new front-end design
- Indian-spec version switches to 3-pot
Meet the facelifted Suzuki Baleno. Unveiled in India where it’s produced by Maruti Suzuki, the refreshed version of the 2nd-generation hatchback features not only a handful of exterior design changes but also the latest “Z Series” 3-cylinder engine familiar from the Swift and Dzire.
Yes, while the current Baleno – which arrived in South Africa back in mid-2022 – employs the brand’s naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine in Mzansi (rather than the K12N mill used in the outgoing version in India), the updated model switches to the latest Z12E 3-pot that debuted in the Swift.
In the freshly revealed Indian-spec Baleno, this likewise atmospheric 1.2-litre petrol motor generates 61 kW and 112 Nm, with buyers offered the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (AMT) featuring the same number of cogs.
Of course, those peak outputs are down on the 77 kW and 138 Nm produced by the current SA-spec Baleno’s K15B powerplant. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that we don’t yet know if the hatchback will switch to the Z12E in South Africa or stick with the more powerful K15B.
What else does the Baleno’s mid-cycle update include? Well, the most significant styling changes come up front, where the sub-4-metre hatchback gains a new design for its grille, front bumper and foglamps. Interestingly, the Suzuki badge moves to just above the grille.
From what we can tell, much of the rear styling carries over unchanged, as does the alloy-wheel design (though the hatchback does now adopt a sharkfin antenna). It’s a similar case in the cabin, where the dashboard appears largely untouched, though the Indian market does gain new features like wireless smartphone charging and ventilated front seats.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Updated Suzuki Baleno unveiled with new engine
Sporting an array of updates, including a new engine option, Suzuki has whipped the wraps of the refreshed Baleno…
While featuring a redesigned front end, perhaps the biggest news is the adoption of a new engine option. Indeed, the updated Suzuki Baleno was revealed with the Japanese automaker’s (Z12E) 1.2-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor – the same unit employed by the third-generation Swift, which claimed top honours in the ‘Budget Car’ category at CAR magazine’s 2026 Top 12 Best Buys awards, and Dzire compact sedan.
The Z12E produces 61 kW and 112 N.m of torque – the former and latter available from 5 700 and 4 500 r/min, respectively. Power is delivered to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The company claims average fuel consumption figures of 4.2 and 4.0 L/100 km for the manual and AMT models, respectively.
As a reminder, the current local Baleno lineup is powered by Suzuki’s familiar (K15B) 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which also does duty in such products as the Jimny, Fronx, and Grand Vitara. In the Baleno, the K15B powertrain – available with the choice of either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox – is endowed with 77 kW and 138 N.m. Equipped with the former and latter transmissions, the K15B returns a claimed 5.4 and 5.7 L/100 km, respectively.
www.carmag.co.za
Sporting an array of updates, including a new engine option, Suzuki has whipped the wraps of the refreshed Baleno…
While featuring a redesigned front end, perhaps the biggest news is the adoption of a new engine option. Indeed, the updated Suzuki Baleno was revealed with the Japanese automaker’s (Z12E) 1.2-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor – the same unit employed by the third-generation Swift, which claimed top honours in the ‘Budget Car’ category at CAR magazine’s 2026 Top 12 Best Buys awards, and Dzire compact sedan.
The Z12E produces 61 kW and 112 N.m of torque – the former and latter available from 5 700 and 4 500 r/min, respectively. Power is delivered to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The company claims average fuel consumption figures of 4.2 and 4.0 L/100 km for the manual and AMT models, respectively.
As a reminder, the current local Baleno lineup is powered by Suzuki’s familiar (K15B) 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which also does duty in such products as the Jimny, Fronx, and Grand Vitara. In the Baleno, the K15B powertrain – available with the choice of either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox – is endowed with 77 kW and 138 N.m. Equipped with the former and latter transmissions, the K15B returns a claimed 5.4 and 5.7 L/100 km, respectively.
Updated Suzuki Baleno unveiled with new engine
Sporting an array of updates, including a new engine option, Suzuki has whipped the wraps of the refreshed Baleno…
www.carmag.co.za
HAL 9000
Honorary Master
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
- Messages
- 22,119
- Reaction score
- 25,774
HAL 9000
Honorary Master
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
- Messages
- 22,119
- Reaction score
- 25,774
2026 Maruti Baleno Facelift Review - Team-BHP
This report will focus only on the changes in the Facelift version. To read the full official review, click here.Introduction
The Baleno is a familiar name in the top-10 list of most-sold cars in India, averaging about 16,000 units per month. Those are some insane numbers and hence a very important car in Maruti's portfolio.The new-generation model was introduced in 2022, and in 2025 Maruti updated the Baleno to include 6 airbags as standard, along with additional safety features.
This year, Maruti has finally brought in a much-needed mid-life facelift for the Baleno.
The facelift brings an updated front end, some interior feature additions, Level 2 ADAS, and a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine under the hood. It will be offered with a 5-speed MT or an AMT, and there's also a factory-fitted CNG variant.
We got to get a closer look at the Baleno in Bangalore, so let's get into all the details.
You can download the Baleno Facelift Brochure here - 2026 Maruti Baleno Facelift Brochure.pdf
Full detailed review with MANY more exterior & interior photos at the link below:
HAL 9000
Honorary Master
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
- Messages
- 22,119
- Reaction score
- 25,774
I wonder what all of these blanking plugs are for...
