2017 Maruti Baleno RS review, test drive

What’s it like to drive?

Maruti has done a good job with the Baleno RS’s 1.0-litre petrol engine. It may be slightly detuned from the European version to cope with poor fuel quality around India, but it still feels sufficient, if not ample. There’s some turbo-lag but power builds up from a lowly 1600rpm, and once you cross 2000rpm, the engine spins quickly all the way to its 6200rpm limiter. The sweet spot of this engine is between 3000rpm and 5000rpm. As it gets past 5,000rpm, this motor tends to get boomy. There is an ever present noise as you climb the rev range, as this is a three-cylinder motor after all, but rather than a gruff clatter, it's a pleasant thrum that adds quite a lot for character. The 5-speed manual gearbox feels a little firmer to shift than in the standard car, but it's not to the point of discomfort and instead gives shifts a slightly more reassuring feel.

The suspension’s been stiffened on this one, and that’s given the car a bit more stability at speed, although the Buddh International Circuit, where we've driven it, is hardly the best place to evaluate this, or indeed other everyday driving characteristics. The car also turns a bit more willingly into corners and handling on the whole has improved a bit. What adds to this feel is the steering which now feels a touch heavier and gives you more confidence. It's still not bristling with feedback though.

The brakes on this car are great, no doubt helped by the addition of discs at the rear. Despite repeated hard braking sessions on the racetrack there was only minimal fade felt.

On the perimeter road that we drove, the ride was good. However, it remains to be seen how it takes sharper and bigger bumps experienced in the city.

Should I buy one?

If you are looking for a quicker family hatchback, the Baleno RS won’t disappoint. With better acceleration, steering and brakes, the performance is an improvement over the standard petrol version. But this comes at a price. The Baleno RS commands a Rs 1.4 lakh premium over the standard petrol car and does not have any additional kit. Yes, along with the more powerful engine and rear disc brakes, you also get a stiffer chassis, improved steering and suspension. However, our sources tell us that all Balenos will get the stiffer chassis soon, anyway. That being the case, the Rs 1.4 lakh premium does seem like a lot. But performance has never come cheap. So, does the car do justice to its RS badge? Yes it’s quick, but out here on the F1 track it didn’t seem a quick hot hatch. Then again, this circuit has made many a sportscar look slow. Guess it’s time to put the Baleno back to back with the Abarth Punto and the Polo GT to find out.

SELVIN JOSE

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