Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept – 2016 Auto Expo

by Dhiyanesh Ravichandran · February 4, 2016

1.0-litre booster jet

Maruti Suzuki today unveiled the Baleno RS Concept at the just began 2016 Delhi Auto Expo.

The RS variant of the all-new Baleno hatch will go on sale in the domestic market by the festive season later this year, or by early next year. It will be sold via the company’s premium Nexa dealership network. Though called as a concept, the Baleno RS is in almost production guise and is likely to stay as the same in the production version as well.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS will reach Indian showrooms by the festive season later this year

But the fine difference from our popular expectations out of an RS version is that the Baleno RS boasts a down-sized engine – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine. This engine is likely to deliver a maximum output of 110 hp and 170 Nm of torque at peak demand. The engine is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. An automatic gearbox or an AMT version is also a possibility in the future.

Other than the engine, the changes in appearance, both inside and outside, are largely minimal. The lower part of the both the bumpers have been restyled, along with spruced-up LED headlamps and chrome-ish grille, blackened alloy wheel design, unique wind deflectors and minor body kits. The Baleno RS is largely the same as the regular hatch inside the cabin.

Baleno RS will offer “enhanced performance and driving pleasure”, says the company

Maruti Suzuki says that the Baleno RS will offer “enhanced performance and driving pleasure”, and in a way creates an exclusive performance model in the Baleno range. The company also previewed the all-new Ignis tiny SUV concept and the Vitara Brezza compact SUV for the first time in India at the show. On the other side of the expo, Volkswagen previewed the most expensive performance-tuned GTI version of the Polo hatch.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Global Debut – 2016 Auto Expo

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