[audioholic]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Baleno for international markets is already on sale and I guess the testing phase of it is complete.

What is next is the Baleno RS for India, they are being spotted in mulitiple locations just before its launch. Tuning the engine for FE, driving conditions here is what is speculated being done.

Not saying they are not testing it for india, but the car here is not for the Indian market. Though it would be used since it is containing the Boosterjet powertrain, we cant take this as a baseline to speculate what we will get for the domestic market, like rear discs and so on.

Regarding testing as a phase, its never complete to not have such specimens running around even after the product comes to the market. Only difference will be it would not have much camouflage.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Regarding testing as a phase, its never complete to not have such specimens running around even after the product comes to the market. Only difference will be it would not have much camouflage.

Testing of the car has been and would continue to be done in the respective market conditions. The continued sighting of the subject car is highly probable for the Indian market.
Anyways we will know of it in a couple of months from now

[Dr.Naren]

Originally Posted by audioholic

This should be the version of Baleno that comes with Radar Brake Support. Not for the domestic market though. This is for the export market. The cars with radar get a specialised logo since the radar sits behind the logo.

No wonder they had masked the badge. Also Radar based brake support was showing as disabled in MID. Side airbags, TPMS, rear disc brakes were other additional features.

[RavenAvi]

The Baleno 1.0L Boosterjet spied up close again, this time by a Motorbeam reader on the Eastern Express highway.

Also, T-BHPian sidindica spotted this particular Baleno test mule a couple of days back on a testing run, and managed to take a few quick snaps.

He thinks it's some other Baleno variant on test, and not the 1.0L RS (judging by the alloys on this test mule which belong to the present Alpha variant). I think otherwise.

[volkman10]

Baleno speculated to be offered in a 6 speed AT variant,




Source

[Dr.Naren]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Baleno speculated to be offered in a 6 speed AT variant

I hope there would be a manual transmission too. Car which I saw in cochin had manual gearbox. Even the car showcased in Auto Expo had manual transmission.

A big draw for enthusiasts will be that 5-speed MT gear lever & 3 pedals (Polo GT TSI only available with an AT). We can expect some more equipment from the RS when it goes into production

[dZired]

Rumour: Maruti Baleno RS AT to get paddle shifters

According to media reports, the upcoming Maruti Baleno RS might come with an automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. If these reports indeed come out to be true, the Baleno RS will be the only car in its segment to get this transmission setup.

The Baleno RS will be powered by Suzuki's new 1.0-litre BoosterJet petrol engine that pumps out 109 BHP and 160 Nm of torque. This mill is reported to come with a 6-speed AT with steering mounted paddle shifters.

Currently, the only hot hatch in the segment that comes with an automatic gearbox is the VW Polo GT TSI. This car comes with a 7-speed DSG, but misses out on the paddle shifters. Meanwhile, the Abarth Punto gets a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Source: GaadiWaadi

Link to Team-BHP News

[silverado]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

He thinks it's some other Baleno variant on test, and not the 1.0L RS (judging by the alloys on this test mule which belong to the present Alpha variant).

Nope, even current Alpha/Zeta don't come with this design, which I believe is the export alloy wheel design.

Baleno looks so much better in this black shade, complemented by those lovely alloys.

[Vik0728]

Originally Posted by dZired

According to media reports, the upcoming Maruti Baleno RS might come with an automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. If these reports indeed come out to be true, the Baleno RS will be the only car in its segment to get this transmission setup.

Hey dZired, I think Honda Jazz CVT competes with Baleno in this segment and the last time I checked, this one gets the paddle shifters.

With a 1.0 Turbo Petrol pumping out 109BHP and 160NM of torque, I still think it will fall way short of both GT TSI & Punto Abarth in performance.

Neither does it have the 'God Tuned' DSG nor the 'Demon Tuned' T-Jet engine

But then again:

Baleno RS will sell more than the 2 Performance cars put together !!

[printh]

Originally Posted by Vik0728

. With a 1.0 Turbo Petrol pumping out 109BHP and 160NM of torque, I still think it will fall way short of both GT TSI & Punto Abarth in performance.



Neither does it have the 'God Tuned' DSG nor the 'Demon Tuned' T-Jet engine !! [/i][/b]

While it falls short in the absolute power & torque spec, it has the advantage of being lightest of the three. Easily it can have more Power-to-weight and Torque-to-weight ratio among the trio. Can't say how the suspension and handling is going to fare though.
BTW guys, is the transmission DCT with paddle shifters or CVT?

[RohanDheman]

Originally Posted by printh

BTW guys, is the transmission DCT with paddle shifters or CVT?

Neither. Looks to be a torque converter unit. The CVT is offered with the 1.2 petrol mill. This 6 speed AT is available on the international model.

If they can confirm 6 airbags, take my money!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Vik0728

Hey dZired, I think Honda Jazz CVT competes with Baleno in this segment and the last time I checked, this one gets the paddle shifters.

Jazz gets the 1.2 petrol with 89bhp and 110Nm. It has a CVT option with paddle shifters, but it is one of the slowest options in the premium hatchback space and as such it competes against the regular Baleno 1.2 petrol CVT.

Originally Posted by Vik0728

With a 1.0 Turbo Petrol pumping out 109BHP and 160NM of torque, I still think it will fall way short of both GT TSI & Punto Abarth in performance.

GT TSi has 104bhp and 175 Nm. It weighs 1140kg, with a power to weight of 91 bhp/ton.
Baleno RS has 110bhp and 160Nm. It weighs around 950 kg (910 for the current 1.2L CVT) with a power to weight ratio of 116 bhp/ton. And that figure only gets better with the manual.
Punto Abarth has a power to weight ratio of 121 bhp/ton.

Any which way you look at it. This car has the potential to slot in right in between the GT and Punto Abarth in terms of performance.

Originally Posted by Vik0728

'God Tuned' DSG

Comments like this hype it for more than what its worth. Its a good automatic no doubt and the best automatic for the price, but like other automatics for the price - fell flat on its face given a track.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-quickest.html

Infact, the way both Baleno diesel and petrols performed around the track - I'm looking forward to seeing how the RS would fare (hope they do the tests next year as well). A much lighter chasis than the other two, plus a good 30 bhp / ton power to weight advantage over the normal petrol version should see it fly around the track, even if its bogged down a bit by the 6 speed automatic box.

[volkman10]

Baleno 1.0L boosterjet seems impressive as seen in the Global reviews, terms it as" Suzuki Baleno Is the Most Spacious Supermini of 2016".

a new type of engine fixes everything. We are talking about the 1-liter BoostJet, a 3-cylinder with 110 horsepower and a turbo. All our jitters were unfounded, as it's just as fun as the Vitara S.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8IWLS5BbEc

Link

[landcruiser123]

Originally Posted by Vik0728

I think Honda Jazz CVT ... this one gets the paddle shifters.

Yes it does. I don't know which variant has it, but I've used it.

With a 1.0 Turbo Petrol pumping out 109BHP and 160NM of torque, I still think it will fall way short of both GT TSI & Punto Abarth in performance.

Neither does it have the 'God Tuned' DSG nor the 'Demon Tuned' T-Jet engine

Please don't be so critical.
I think the Baleno might have the advantage as it's lighter than the other two cars. It'll never be way behind the Polo GT TSI and Abarth Punto in performance. Maruti is doing all it can to enhance it's premium image and I'm sure there'll let no stone unturned.

Originally Posted by RohanDheman

Neither. Looks to be a torque converter

AFAIK, it has a DCT (DSG in VW's terms, Powershift in Ford's terms)

[RohanDheman]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

AFAIK, it has a DCT (DSG in VW's terms, Powershift in Ford's terms)

I don't remember reading on either the European website or the Japanese one that it's a dual clutch unit. Specification sheet for both the areas simply say 6 speed automatic. If it's indeed a dual clutch unit, why wouldn't Suzuki advertise or mention it? Another thing that I feel is that These units are far more expensive and complicated than the conventional automatic units- because of which Maruti may not consider it. I remember reading that the European s cross got (is getting?) a dual clutch unit- but no such news about the DCT here.

Do I wish it has a DCT- certainly. My entire garage has nothing but automatic cars and the Laura DSG has the best box by far. We are certain of the rear disc brakes- a dual clutch box and 6 airbags would make it the perfect daily for me.

Cheers
Rohan