Maruti launches its first-ever hot hatch in the country

The country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, has launched the highly-awaited Baleno RS at a price of Rs 8.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It is the fourth product that the company will retail via its Nexa range of dealerships and is its second new offering of the year.

The

Baleno RS

is available only with a petrol-powered engine, which is its main highlight. The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Boosterjet combustion chamber belts out 102PS of power and 150Nm of torque. Unfortunately, there is no automatic transmission on offer and customers will have to make do with a five-speed manual transmission, that sends power only to the front wheels. The new engine is more powerful than the 1.2-litre petrol engine that powers the standard Baleno and will result in faster acceleration and a higher top-speed.

Launch of Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS.

Maruti’s first-ever hot hatch is available only in the Alpha trim, which equates to a host of features, both inside and out. The feature list includes 16-inch black alloy wheels, day-time running LEDs, projector headlamps, disc brakes on all four wheels, automatic headlamps, SmartPlay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and built-in GPS navigation, voice command system, reverse parking sensors with a camera, push start/stop with smart key, automatic climate control, ABS and dual airbags.

Maruti Suzuki’s latest offering will lock horns with the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and the Fiat Abarth Punto. Online bookings for the Baleno RS began on February 27, 2017 at a refundable amount of Rs 11,000. The company is also expected to launch the facelifted Ciaz and S-Cross, all-new Swift siblings and the petrol-powered Vitara Brezza in 2017.