Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS to get paddle shifters in India: Report

A lot has already been said about the upcoming powerful variants of the premium hatchback Baleno. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car-maker, is expected to launch the Baleno RS in India during the festive season this year. Now the latest interesting tidbit that is doing the rounds on the internet is that the Baleno RS will feature paddle shifters.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno is already on sale in India through the company's Nexa premium dealerships. The Baleno RS, the Boosterjet variant of the Baleno hatchback, would come with six-speed automatic gearbox and will feature steering mounted paddle shifters, reports Gaadiwaadi. If this rings true, the Baleno RS would be the first model in its segment to get this.

As we have known for some time, the Baleno RS will be powered by the Boosterjet of Suzuki. The 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine would churn out close to 110bhp of power and 170Nm of peak torque. 

From a visual stand-point, the Baleno RS would look identical to the regular model of the hatchback, but will come packed with additional features like side skirts and new diamond cut alloy wheels. The new variant will also get sportier front and rear bumpers. Other features expected include reverse camera, automatic climate control and 7-inch touchscreen SmartPlay entertainment system with Apple CarPlay.

It will take on the likes of Fiat Abarth Punto, Ford Figo 1.5-litre petrol and Volkswagen Polo GT TSI in India.