Maruti Suzuki India has recently launched the Baleno Zeta Automatic, and is now gearing up to bring in a sporty version of the hatchback – the Maruti Baleno RS. Unveiled at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo, the Baleno RS has been confirmed to be launched during this year’s festive season. This high-performance version will debut with Maruti’s first-ever turbocharged 1.0-litre Boosterjet petrol engine. This power mill is already offered on the global Suzuki Baleno export model. It delivers a claimed power of 100bhp and 170Nm of torque.
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Besides being high on power and performance, this Boosterjet unit will be more fuel efficient than the regular model. The Baleno, currently, is available with a choice of two powertrains – a 1.2-litre VVT petrol and a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel. While the former produces 84bhp with 115Nm of torque, the latter one offers 73.9bhp with 190Nm. The petrol and diesel engines are claimed to return 21.4kmpl and 27.39kmpl respectively.
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As far as styling is concerned, the Maruti Baleno RS will be sportier than the regular model. The car features sporty front bumper with wider radiator intake and silver underlining, a mesh grille, side skirts, black-coloured alloy wheels, a lower rear bumper and roof spoiler. Maruti could also offer additional safety features on the hatchback including side airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, radar based brake support and disc brakes. The Baleno RS will be slightly heavier than the standard model.
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Upon its launch, the Maruti Baleno RS will take on the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI that is powered with a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine. Unlike its rival that features a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, the Baleno RS will be equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission.
