Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Real Sport

Maruti Suzuki may be the No.1 car manufacturer in the country and their cars may be the best when it comes to utilitarian advantages. But driving a stock car from Maruti Suzuki on an international high speed race circuit could seem a bit farfetched an idea.

- Joshua David Luther

Well in all honesty, I entered the BIC (Buddh International Circuit) with the thought that this was just another day at work, with me behind the wheel of yet another car with a fancy name. But what was to come next would simply baffle my logical perception.

Yes, I knew there were a few changes in the output figures, no. of cylinders, kerb weight, chassis and suspension. But how well would all of these changes fit on Maruti’s latest baby? Settling in behind the wheel, I gently nudged the accelerator, an almost instant throttle response added a little glee to my expression. As I began pushing the RS a little harder, I was stupefied at how effortlessly this hatchback responded to my demands. Its little 1.0 litre, turbocharged, petrol engine is not humble in the least, I would rather describe it as the Looney Toons character ‘Taz’. Like an over eager kid in a candy store, I began redlining the Baleno RS on every gear.