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2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept Is India's Idea of a Hot Hatch

We were very critical of the Suzuki Baleno when we saw it last year. However, the Japanse sports bike maker knows how to make a neat concept, which it did for the New Delhi Auto Expo 2016. Say hello to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS... concept.
2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept 12 photos
Photo: Maruti Suzuki
2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept
We don't know if they plan to put this bad boy into production and if it will ever make its way to European showrooms. But it's undeniably cool, like the old Lupo GTI. It's the kind of car you put on your bedroom wall a month before getting your driver's license.

The Baleno RS might make a great warm hatch for the Indian market. Rumor has it that the car will go on sale by the end of the year and pack a 1-liter Boosterjet directly injected petrol engine that produces 115 PS and 175 Nm of torque. That's not something to get your panties all bunched up. But compared to the regular 1.2L VVT petrol with 83 hp and the 75 hp diesel, it's got a bit of punch.

The Baleno is apparently classed as a premium small car in India, where it quickly overthrew the Hyundai Elite i20 after its launch. Now the RS model hopes to add a bit of pizzazz to the mix.

It takes a page out of the "How to make a Clio GT" book, with subtle cosmetic enhancements and cool paint. We're not particularly excited about the CVT gearbox option, but India has much lower standards. For example, the Fiat Punto Abarth sold there has only 145 horsepower.

While most European hot hatchbacks have a fake air diffuser around the back, the Baleno RS concept sits high off the ground.

Looking almost ready for production, the interior of the concept features sports seats and aluminum pedals. Suzuki has also added DRLs, projector headlamps, chrome finish and 16-inch alloys on the outside.

When launched, the Baleno GT will compete against the Abarth Punto, Honda Jazz RS and Volkswagen Polo GT.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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