Maruti Baleno RS

Baleno RS highlights

Launched in March 2017,  the RS version of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno promised a more exciting driving experience. The Baleno RS is based on the top-spec Alpha variant of the standard Baleno and is offered in only a single petrol variant which costs Rs 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

It is the engine that is the biggest change on the RS. This is a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder Boosterjet petrol engine which develops 102PS of max power and 150Nm of peak torque. The power and torque figures are 18PS and 35Nm more than the Baleno’s 1.2-litre petrol engine. The Boosterjet also gets a new 5-speed manual transmission that is designed to handle the higher performance on offer. Despite a bump in the performance figures, the claimed mileage of the Maruti Baleno RS is impressive at 21.1kmpl, only 0.3kmpl lower than the stock hatchback.

The changes on the outside are minimal; the Baleno RS gets redesigned front and rear bumpers, mesh front grille and black alloys. One important upgrade on the RS is that it also has disc brakes for the rear wheels to improve stopping. The interiors are identical to the standard Alpha and get 7-inch touchscreen audio system (with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and navigation), automatic air-conditioning, steering-mounted audio controls and a start-stop button. The boot space of the Maruti Baleno RS remains unchanged at 339-litres.

The Maruti Baleno RS competes with the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and Fiat Punto Abarth in the affordable hot hatch space.