Suzuki Baleno

50Twuncle

I have had 3 swift automatics and now, due to the need for a larger car that can carry a wheelchair - I am thinking of a new Suzuki Baleno automatic - they are powered by a 3 cylinder 1.0 turbo charged engine, putting out over 110 bhp and (impressively) 160 lb ft of torque
The average fuel consumption is 50mpg +
I am concerned about the long term reliability of such a small engine and welcome any comments ....

bigjl

You probably won't obtain the 50mpg you mention if that is the result on the EU Test.

I wouldn't have any concerns about a small turbocharged engine.

Though I would probably take it easy till the oil is fully warmed up and give it a few seconds of tickover when reaching my destination as it is likely the turbo will be working hard.

I would also do an interim oil change using the top quality oil and a OE oil filter.

Downsizing engines is going to be more common as many drivers want to retain half decent economy but don't want a complicated turbo diesel with DPF.

forgotmyname

160ft/lb of torque between 4800 and 4900 rpm? If you think 160ft/lbs is a lot try a diesel.

Mines got over 100ft/lbs more than that and the later model has quite a bit more.

When they road tested the Focus with the 1L engine they said the torque was impressive but when tested with 4 passengers they commented on having to use the gears to maintain progress and it lacked torque.

50Twuncle

Found this
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/suzuki/suzuki-baleno-2016-road-test

50Twuncle

I was wrong - the Torque is 118 lbs feet (160nm) - between 1500 rpm and 4000 rpm - still pretty impressive for a 1.0
engine !!
And the fuel consumption is good too (65mpg claimed) 50+ mpg in the real world
Don't forget the car is a lightweight as well (under a ton)

forgotmyname

Maybe under a ton when its just a driver, but add a passenger and it wil be over 1 ton. Add 4 passengers and you may think differently.

Any of the car mags done any real road tests and compared the fuel consumption to anything else?

What happened to proper road tests? All i seem to read these days are quotes line for line from the sales brochure.

If you think the 1L is going to sip the fuel like giving coffee to someone that only drinks weak tea. Test drive one first you maybe in for a shock.

xHannahx

Suzuki is General Motors as is Vauxhall.
We have had a 1.0 turbo Astra on hire for the last week which I suspect is the same engine, and the engine is great- we've done around 1500 miles for our family holiday. It had 250 miles on the clock when we collected it. Have been unimpressed with the Astra having a poor cabin layout and several large blind spots, but rather impressed with the engine.
The hire car is achieving 39mpg over mix of motorway, A and B roads. The gears needed working with passengers and luggage when it found a hill, but it happily cruised on the level motorway at 80ish.
I do fear that the 3 cylinder turbo may not be reliable at higher mileages taking a lot of strain,

bigjl

Suzuki have done some deals with GM and Fiat.

But I have never heard that they are actually part of GM.

Where did you read this?



Edit

Did some quick research.

GM have owned 20% of the Company for a few years

VW also owned just under 20% of the Company but the stock was bought back.

I don't think a 20% stock holding would make them part of GM.

50Twuncle

This is a NEW car - so road tests will come soon...
as for Vauxhall link - yes there is some

gilbert_and_sullivan

HJ giving the auto version 5 stars is most unusual, well worth looking at IMO if you want a car in this class.

If you give some basic care and mechanical sympathy, as outlined by BigJL above, no reason it shouldn't last as long as the previous Baleno which was a decent car in its day.

Allow it to warm up a bit before giving it the beans, and to cool down ticking over for a couple of minutes after the turbo has been worked hard, aided and abetted by sensible additional oil changes if you want it to last makes all the difference to any engine from any maker.