Maruti Baleno RS to be launched on 3 March - Report

Will mark Maruti Suzuki's entry into the hot-hatch segment.

After months of delay, the highly anticipated Maruti Baleno RS is finally about to hit the market. According to a report from Autocar India, the Maruti Baleno RS will launch on March 3, 2017. It is unclear whether deliveries of the car will commence on the same date.

On the outside, the Maruti Baleno RS will get modified bumpers, unique mesh grille and black alloy wheels. On the inside, the car will likely have an all-black theme and seat covers with RS logo. Not much is expected to be different here.

Where the Maruti Baleno RS will differ the most from the Maruti Baleno, will be under the hood. The unique selling point of the car will be the K10C 1.0-litre BOOSTERJET turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine it will debut in the country. This engine has been detuned for the Indian market to produce 75 kW (100.54 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque, and it will be paired to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. In the Euro-spec Baleno, this engine produces 82 kW (109.92 hp) at 5,500 rpm and up to 170 Nm of torque between 2,000-3,500 rpm in the 5MT model.

Also See: 2017 Suzuki Swift Sport spied in France

The Maruti Baleno RS will mark Maruti Suzuki's entry into the hot-hatch segment that currently consists of the VW Polo GT and the Fiat Abarth Punto. It will be available only in the top-end Alpha trim level and could be priced between INR 7 and 9 lakh (ex-showroom).

[Source: Autocar]