As Maruti Suzuki preps to launch its much awaited Baleno RS on 3rd March 2017, the hatchback has already been listed on the NEXA official website detailing specifications and styling. The company has also started taking bookings of the Baleno RS at an amount of Rs 11,000 and the car can also be booked online on the official website. Earlier, Maruti Suzuki had teased an image of the Boosterjet engine on its NEXA Facebook page, as this will be the first time the company is using Boosterjet engine in one of its cars. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is a revamped version of the standard Baleno with more power and several added features.
It is powered by a 1.0 litre, three-cylinder Boosterjet unit that will produce 100 hp of power at 5,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. The Boosterjet engine will be paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. An optional automatic transmission is so far not expected. The fuel tank capacity of the car is 37 litres. Suspension duties are done by McPherson strut at front and torsion beam at rear. The RS is equipped with disc brakes on all wheels and has a kerb weight of 950 kg. The Baleno RS will measure 3,995 mm in length, 1,745 mm in width, 1,510mm in height, 2,520 mm wheel base and 114 mm of ground clearance.
Speaking of exteriors, the Baleno RS will come with chrome door handles, body colured ORVMs and bumpers, chrome accent front grille, back door spoiler, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, black alloy wheels, blackened pillars, ultra voilet cut glass at front and rear.
Inside the cabin, the hactchback gets meta finish door handles, glovebox illumination, luggage room illumination, front footwell illumination, leather wrapped steering wheel and TFT MIS (Multi Information Speedometer) display. For entertainment, the car gets a touch screen infotainment system compatible with Bluetooth AUX & USB Smartphone Connect/Apple CarPlay, Remote control through Smartphone App.
In addition, it also gets features like steering mounted audio control, navigation system, voice command, central locking, remote keyless entry, steering adjustment, follow me headlamps, power socket at front and rear, push start/stop with smart key, reverse parking sensors, reverse parking camera and rear defogger.
In terms of safety, the Baleno RS incorporates TECT (total effective control technology), and dual airbags, seat belt pretensioners and ABS will be standard across all variants. The hatchback will be available in seven colours – Fire red, Premium Urban Blue, Premium Silver, Autumn Orange, Ray Blue, Pearl Arctic White and Granite Gray.
The Baleno RS is expected to be priced at around Rs 9 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. It stands to compete with the likes of Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and Abarth Punto.
