HOLDEN Barina RS Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

By 2014, it was pretty uncommon to find the words “Barina” and “Sporty” in the same sentence.

The regular Holden Barina was nothing more but a good spec bargain city car.

However, Holden raised the bar with the new Barina RS, a sporty enough car to worth the RS badge.

The car promised to offer good value for the money, besides the specific exterior design and better performances.

Aesthetically, the Barina RS was fitted with 17-inch alloys, a lower ride height, deeper bumpers, a pair of elliptical fog lights, and a trapezoidal single exhaust. The retina-searing Orange Rock exterior paint color was offered only with the RS.

Aside from the mentioned difference, the Barina RS was pretty much like the CDX Barinas.

Inside, the RS model featured red stitching and RS logos embroidered on the seats. The seats were wrapped up in man-made leather that looked extremely well.

Even cheaper than the rival Suzuki Swift Sport, the Barina RS came with standard heated sport seats, air-conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a sport steering wheel, drilled-look pedals, and even four-wheel disc brakes.

Safety-wise, the Barina RS was equipped with traction and stability control, ABS, and brake force distribution.

Modern enough for 2014, the small sporty car was fitted with Holden’s MyLink infotainment system that came with a 7-inch screen and Bluetooth connectivity.

Under the hood, Barina RS featured a 1.4-liter turbo unit that developed 140 hp and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft). The unit was paired with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox that sent power to the front wheels.