Maruti Baleno RS
BBC TopGear India|April 2017

We say: Maruti’s sporty hatchback is here to boot some europeans out of its backyard

Agasti Kaulgi
Maruti Baleno RS

Sporty hatches aren’t new to India anymore. After many years of relating hatchbacks to affordable and frugal machines used mainly as city runabouts, they’ve now been upgraded to machines that you can have plenty of fun with, without burning a gaping hole in your wallet. The chapter of the sporty hatchback in India started with the VW Polo GT TSI, and now, there’s the Abarth Punto and the Ford Figo 1.5. Maruti has now jumped on to this bandwagon with its own version of a sporty hatchback. Based on the regular Baleno, the RS ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a fun-to-drive hatch.

In the past couple of years, Maruti has tried to break through its ‘smallcar maker’ image by bringing in a few premium cars to take on the European competition. One of these premium cars, the Baleno, has been received really well in the market, making its way to 1,50,000 homes in the past few months.

If you expected a funky little hatch with a single door on either side, some jazzy decals and a potent 1.6-litre engine under the hood, you’d be sadly mistaken. Maruti has a different idea about what a hot hatch should be.

Bu hikaye BBC TopGear India dergisinin April 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye BBC TopGear India dergisinin April 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BBC TOPGEAR INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Next Great Family MPV?
BBC TopGear India

The Next Great Family MPV?

“Whoa, that’s a nice-looking Minivan!” Said no one ever.

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024
MG COMET
BBC TopGear India

MG COMET

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THOUGHT THIS CAR TO BE COMPLETELY useless when it came out.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BMW i7
BBC TopGear India

BMW i7

WHEN THE i7 PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND PARKED ITSELF next to the Mercedes EQA and the MG Comet, it just struck me that this is how the future will be.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 2024
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
BBC TopGear India

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

McLaren's finest faces off Corvette's nat-asp swansong as the Brits and the Americans square up... in a Spanish playground. Expect fireworks

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024
NEXT LEVEL
BBC TopGear India

NEXT LEVEL

Thought the 750S was fast? The McLaren P1's successor - the W1 is ready to spread its wings

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024
MANUAL LABOUR
BBC TopGear India

MANUAL LABOUR

Two cars from opposite ends of the performance spectrum with one crucial thing in common...

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2024
PRO VS SLOW
BBC TopGear India

PRO VS SLOW

At last, we have our hands on the Valkyrie. But is its performance only accessible for the pros... or can anyone enjoy it?

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2024
THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING
BBC TopGear India

THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING

The high-volume market is a point of interest for all manufacturers here in India.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS
BBC TopGear India

THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS

WHO DOES THE BEST COMMUTER WORK WHILE NOT BEING A TRUE COMMUTER MOTORCYCLE?

time-read
7 dak  |
November 2024
LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK
BBC TopGear India

LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK

FT. YMRP ROUND 3 From being second, I DNF'd from the race on the last corner

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024