SPY PICS: Suzuki Baleno

A mysterious new Suzuki hatchback has been spotted undergoing testing, hinting at a brand-new small car from the Japanese brand.

Slightly longer and larger overall than the popular Suzuki Swift B-segment compact car, the new model is one size larger and would slot into the small car or C-segment, rivalling vehicles such as the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf.

It's difficult to make out any details underneath the camouflage 'jacket' but it appears to have swept-back headlights, and angular grille and low-mounted vertical LED driving lights.

At the rear it features peculiar-looking brake lights – perhaps to throw design sleuths off the case – and a sloping rear windscreen.

Suzuki sources suggest the car could be based on the S-Cross compact SUV platform, the company's first proper C-segment floorplan, which is larger than the Swift's. When the fresh-faced new generation S-Cross first launched in 2013 the chatter among engineers and executives was that a hatchback could be built on the same platform.

Is this car that hatchback? And could it be called the Baleno? The Automedia spy photographers reckon the odds are favourable that it is.

The last time we saw a C-segment small car from Suzuki was at the 2013 Shanghai motor show in China, where it teased the AUTHETICS sedan concept.

It's not clear what engines the mystery car in the photos will eventually run, but given Suzuki's eagerness in the European market, it's likely the same 1.6-litre petrol and diesel powerplants from the S-Cross will be in the offing.

In terms of timing, Suzuki's new Corolla rival is expected to break cover in 2016, but it is not known whether it's been earmarked for Australia.