Performance
The main reason for buying the Baleno RS is its new 1 litre three-cylinder Boosterjet engine, which develops 99 hp and 150 Nm of torque. On the track, we spent most of the time caning the motor and the engine absolutely loves to be revved. There is enough action till about 6, 000 rpm, after which the rev limiter kicks in.here is hardly any lag from the engine even at slow speeds and going quickly is quite rewarding. Acceleration is brisk and the power delivery is linear. We managed to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in 10.26 seconds. On the back straight, our top speed was a speedo indicated 183 kmph, which is an impressive number for a hatchback. As of now, the company is only offering a five-speed manual transmission in the Baleno RS. While, purists will love the manual gearbox, there are customers who would've liked the option of an automatic as well.
Design
A quick look at the Baleno RS makes it tough to spot any key differences but a closer look reveals the new bumpers at front and rear along with skirtings all around. The alloy wheels are the same as found in the standard Baleno but in the RS they're painted in black. The rear bumper too features a blackened out area that looks particularly well with contrasting colours.Overall, the Baleno RS looks sportier than the regular version without being too loud. While one might say Maruti has played it safe, I think this approach is better since cars with a loud exterior have always been received with mixed reactions from Indian consumers.
Interiors
This is the only part where Baleno RS customers might feel a bit disappointed since the Baleno RS has the same interiors as the regular Baleno. While we hadn't expected any major changes, things such as steel pedals and RS badging in the cabin along with a flat-bottomed steering wheel would've made things more livelier.
Verdict
The Baleno RS is priced at Rs 8.69 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi, which is a competitive price tag for the car, considering the experience it offers. While the interior of the Baleno RS is unchanged and the exterior is mildly updated, the driving experience is totally different from the regular Baleno.
It's got a peppy engine, sure-footed handling and brakes and the little 1 litre motor sound surprisingly good too once beyond 4, 000 rpm! So if you're in the market for a fast hatchback without compromising on practicality and do not mind a manual transmission, the Baleno RS is the best pick right now.
Within the same segment, one could also consider the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI, which sells for about Rs 40, 000 more. For the extra money you get a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and traction control too. However, the Baleno RS has a more advanced infotainment screen and space. So whatever your prerogative is, the Baleno RS offers impressive value-for-money and is fun to drive.
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