Maruti today introduced the option of an automatic gearbox on the fully loaded petrol Alpha trim of its Baleno premium hatchback. The top variant with the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox is priced at Rs 8.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

When the Baleno was launched in 2015, the option of an automatic gearbox was only available on the lower Delta trim. Then, in April 2016, Maruti introduced the CVT gearbox on the higher Zeta variant. Currently, only the base Sigma trim misses out on the CVT option.  

The Alpha variant of the Baleno comes equipped with projector headlamps, reverse camera and SmartPlay infotainment system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink. Other features include leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, automatic headlamps, alloy wheels, keyless entry and go with push-button start.

Maruti has sold over 2,00,000 units of the Baleno till date, crossing the 1,00,000-units sales milestone in less than a year, it said in a statement. Notably, the share of automatic gearbox-equipped models in its entire fleet has risen to 11 percent in 2016-17 from 6 percent in 2014-15.  The country’s largest carmaker aims to sell 3,00,000 units of models equipped with an automatic gearbox by 2020, up from 1,50,000 units at present.