Since the launch of all-new Baleno in India October last year, the Indo-Japanese auto maker Maruti Suzuki has been witnessing a tremendous growth by crossing over one lakhs domestic sales units. Exclusively manufactured here in the country, it is also being exported to the other global markets including Japan as well. To further make its footprint stronger in the segment, the company had also introduced a sportier concept of the said unit at 2016 Auto Expo. Christened as Baleno RS, it is most likely to be added to Maruti’s portfolio by the end of this year and will be sold alongside the regular version.
As the Baleno RS is merely a performance version of the Standard model, it will share more or less design cues from its predecessor except some new sporty body kits. These will get to see as a chrome highlighted front grille, RS-badging new alloy wheels and a redesigned front and rear bumper. From the latest report, it will also house Bi-Xenon automatic headlamps with LED daytime running lights against the regular projector headlamps. Well, no such changes will be seen in the dimension as well as and it will measures 3995 mm in length, 1500 mm in height and 1745 mm in width and sports a wheelbase of 2520 mm. The ride height will be also same as of the regular one and stand at 170 mm.
When it comes to the interior, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is likely to get similar levels of equipment as standard Baleno’s top-of-the-line Alpha trim. However, some contrasting stitching would be done on upholstery in order to give a slightly different look from the generic. Besides, the car will continue to host features like automatic climate control system, multi-information display, a telescopic steering wheel along mounted audio and voice control, cruise control system, automatic headlamps, an infotainment system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and some others. Apart from these, it might get rain-sensing wipers, reverse camera with parking sensors, electric adjustable and folding wing mirrors, and smart navigation facility. For safety, dual front airbags and ABS will be standard along with this unit.
The most striking thing about the unit is its an all-new powertrain i.e. a 1.0-litre, three cylinder BoosterJet turbo petrol engine which is currently offering in the global spec models and good for generating 111 bhp of power. Albeit, it is unknown to us whether the motor will be mated to the same 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic unit as on its international units or will come with a new option. Well, it will be disclosed soon by the automaker.
As the car is believed to be available in only the top-specs variant of the ongoing Baleno, hence, it would be priced near INR 9 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). Besides, it will be sold through the company's Nexa dealership similar the standard Baleno.
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