Maruti Baleno RS Launched in India – All You Need to Know

maruti suzuki Baleno RS pics-48

Maruti Baleno Road Sport gets 101 hp 1.0L Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine mated to five-speed MT; visually enhanced to stand apart from regular model

Maruti Suzuki Baleno has already garnered respect and appreciation from automotive community and customers alike. The premium hatchback sold through the NEXA dealerships has become one of the best selling models for the company since its launch. Now inspired by the success, Maruti Suzuki has launched its performance edition in the midst of huge anticipation.

The Indo-Japanese automaker was expected to enter this more powerful RS version of the Baleno late last year but the production constraints of latest models seemed to have postponed its arrival. However, we can now say the wait has all the ‘worth it’. With spurred up performance bits and added design elements, the RS is downright unique compared to the standard Baleno.

Baleno has a dedicated fanbase ever since it rumbled into the market as premium hatchback at the end of October 2015. While its sales underlines the unrelenting popularity, Maruti is targetting the next step with the performance-based sportier RS version in terms of retailing numbers.

Maruti says the Baleno RS is developed for “performance enthusiasts who seek more power, throttle response and excitement in their day-to-day driving”. Here’s everything you need to know about the new entrant in the affordable performance section of the domestic hatchback market:

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS (Road Sport) India Launch and Price

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Price Rs. 8.69 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Maruti Suzuki has launched the Baleno RS in India today and it has been priced at 8.69 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It is appointed as the single top-of-the-range Alpha variant in the Baleno lineup. The regular petrol model is sold between Rs. 5.28 lakh and Rs. 7.66 lakh currently.

 

Therefore, the Baleno RS comes with a price difference of over one lakh over the standard spec petrol top-end model. Compared to the top-end Honda Jazz V AT which carries a price of Rs. 8.39 lakh, the RS is Rs. 30,000 costlier. (all prices ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Engine Specifications

Engine Displacement 998cc, K10C, three-cylinder, DOHC, direct-injected, turbocharged engine
Maximum Power 101 hp at 5,500 rpm
Peak Torque 150 Nm between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm
Gearbox Five-speed manual
Suspension McPherson Strut front/ Torsion Beam rear
Brakes Disc both front and rear
Clutch Dry, Single Plate
Bore x Stroke 73 x 79.5 mm
Steering Electric Power Assisted

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS will get power from a 998 cc Boosterjet turbocharged three-cylinder direct-injection engine. The engine might be smaller than the regular model’s 1.2 litre petrol unit, but the direct-injection and Boosterjet turbocharger tech give the new motor a definitive edge as it has 20% more power and 30% more torque. It will churns out 101 hp of peak power and 150 Nm of maximum torque.

maruti suzuki Baleno RS pics-53Not only that, it is very much fuel efficient as well. The regular petrol Baleno draws power from a 1.2 litre VVT inline four cylinder engine. This engine generates only 84 bhp of peak power at 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It should be able to do 0-100 kmph at around 10 seconds.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS was expected to get a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to put the car on par with Honda Jazz V AT. However, on contrary it will be offered with the regular five-speed manual transmission only thwarting the rumours of a CVT.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Top Speed

2017 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Top Speed 170 kmph

The top speed of the Baleno Road Sport is electronically limited to 170 kmph.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Mileage

Maruti Baleno Road Sport Mileage 21.1 kmpl

The Baleno RS is rated to deliver 21.1 kmpl of fuel economy. Now with the high performing Boosterjet engine and a five-speed MT, that’s a good mileage compared to the standard petrol Baleno that offers 21.4 kmpl of fuel economy.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Exterior

maruti suzuki Baleno RS pics-41Standing in line with the concept model released at the 2016 India Auto Expo, the Baleno RS gets subtle updates on the outside just like its rival Volkswagen. The production-spec Baleno RS features sportier body skirts, plenty of chrome garnishing, beefier tyres and RS badges. Other than these changes, it will look just as same as the regular Baleno on sale.

 

The exterior enhancements have the ability to distinguish the sport variant from the standard model with an aggressive road presence. The listed exterior features are chrome door handles, body coloured ORVMs and bumpers, turn indicators on wing mirrors, chrome accented front grille, rear spoiler, black 16-inch alloy wheels, Daytime Running Lights with LED, rear combination lights with LED, blacekend A, B and C pillars, projector headlamps and UV Cut Glass (Front doors + Rear doors + Quarter glass).

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Dimensions

Length 3,995 mm
Width 1,745 mm
Height 1,510 mm
Wheelbase 2,520 mm
Kerb Weight 950 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity 37 litres

Reminiscing the standard Baleno, the RS will measure 3,995 mm in length, 1,745 mm in width and has a wheelbase of 2,520 mm. It is 10 mm taller than the regular Baleno and weighs more than 50 kilos according to the official spec sheet (kerb weight 950 kg/ gross weight 1,360 kg). The ride height, bootspace and tank capacity remain identical.

maruti suzuki Baleno RS pics-40Maruti Suzuki will offer the Baleno RS with disc brake on all the four wheels. This means, it will be the most affordable car in the country with disc brakes on all the wheels. Conventionally, while all cars get disc brakes on the front wheels, Maruti Suzuki decided to equip the Baleno RS with the best possible braking system it possibly can. Also available will be the ABS and therefore the upcoming Baleno RS will be a pretty safer car indeed.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Ground Clearance

2017 Maruti Baleno RS Ground clearance 170 mm

No change in ground clearance as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS has identical ride height as its standard sibling at 170 mm. It should be good enough to tackle the uneven bumps and pot holes familiar to the Indian roads.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Boot Space

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Boot Space 339 litres

Maruti Suzuki offers the Baleno RS with 339 litres of bootspace. Although being similar to the regular Baleno, it is still 40 litres more than fierce nemesis Hyundai Elite i20.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Tyre Size

2017 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Tyre Size 195/55 R16

Riding on a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels, the Baleno RS has a definitive road presence. The new wheels are a major visual enhancer for the Road Sports compared to the standard model.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Interior

Maruti Baleno RS India Launch Price Engine Specs Performance Mileage Features Top Speed InteriorThe cabin is made available with a little more upmarket feel compared to the standard Baleno. It is equipped with slightly updated dashboard and aluminium finish pedals to accentuate the appearance. The standard Baleno brought a new lease of life to the slightly outdated interior in the Maruti Suzuki range and the RS version is living up to the freshness and appeal.

The interior equipment list boasts style enhancing touches like metal finished inside door handles; glovebox, luggage room and front footwell with light illumination; tipped parking brake with metal finish; multi-info speedometer display with colour TFT screen; steering wheel wrapped in leather material, etc.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Features

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Top Features
SmartPlay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, voice command and navigation
Front and rear power windows
Central locking
Remote keyless entry
Telescopic and tilt steering
Front and rear seat adjustable headrests
Automatic AC
Front centre armrest with storage
60:40 split rear seat
Electrically adjustable ORVMs

The sportier Baleno RS comes with features like SmartPlay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Smartphone Connect, Navigation, Voice Command and Remote Control through Smartphone App alongside Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity. The three-spoke multi-function steering wheel from the regular model is carried over with mounted controls.

The big bag of comfort and convenience elements comprises of front and rear power windows, central locking, remote keyless entry, telescopic and tilt steering, front and rear seat adjustable headrests, automatic AC, electrically adjustable ORVMs, front centre armrest with storage, 60:40 split rear seat, height adjustable driver seat, front and rear accessory socket and push start/stop with smart key.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Rivals

The Baleno RS will be pitted against the likes of hotter Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and Fiat Punto Abarth in the premium hatchback segment.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Safety Features

The safety features include dual airbags, seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, anti-theft security, headlamp auto levelling, driver side pinch guard power window and seat belt reminder, child seat tether anchorages, auto dimming IRVM, reverse parking sensors and camera, rear wiper and washer plus defogger.

The Baleno RS is tested at Rohtak R&D centre and complies with side impact, frontal offset impact and pedestrian standards. It comprises of ISOFIX child seat restraint anchorages, and has extensive use of high tensile steel in construction.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Colours

Fire Red, Premium Urban Blue, Premium Silver, Autumn Orange, Ray Blue, Pearl Arctic White and Granite Gray are the seven colour options in which the sporty Baleno RS has been made available.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS India Images

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maruti-suzuki-baleno-rs-road-sports-boosterjet-price-specs-review-091912Maruti Baleno Road Sport gets 101 hp 1.0L Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine mated to five-speed MT; visually enhanced to stand apart from regular model Maruti Suzuki Baleno has already garnered respect and appreciation from automotive community and customers alike. The premium hatchback sold through the NEXA...