Spec Comparo: Baleno RS vs Polo GT TSi vs Abarth Punto vs Figo 1.5

The affordable hot hatchback segment in India will be in the spotlight again when Maruti Suzuki launches the Baleno RS in India on 3rd March 2017.

The Baleno RS may not be all about outright power, but its new 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged 'Boosterjet' petrol motor has enough grunt to keep up with the competition. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS will also have a low kerb weight to help its cause.

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS, when launched, will compete with the likes of the very capable Volkswagen Polo GT TSI, the insanely powerful Fiat Abarth Punto and the underdog Ford Figo 1.5 AT. All of the cars mentioned here are powered by petrol motors developing more than 100PS of maximum power.

Dimensions

The Baleno RS is the largest car, in the comparison, in most aspects, though the Ford Figo is slightly taller. Also, the leaked specifications of the Baleno RS also show that the Baleno RS has one of the highest ground clearance amongst the competition, except for the Figo.

Engine 

The most important factor about the cars we are comparing here is the powerful motor under the hood. The Baleno RS is powered by the smallest engine in the group, and the least powerful too. But it is the lightest car in this comparison, which helps it tie with the Figo in terms of power-to-weight. The Fiat Abarth Punto trumps everything else because of its insanely powerful motor.

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS's greatest strength is its light weight. Assuming the RS does not exceed the weight of the top-of-the-line petrol variant of the standard Baleno, it should be quicker than the more powerful competition.

Performance

The Baleno RS and the Abarth Punto are equipped with manual transmissions, while both the Polo GT TSI and Figo AT are offered with dual-clutch automatic transmissions. While the Abarth has the best specifications here, it is a known fact that its 5-speed manual transmission is very notchy. Maruti is known for fitting its cars with fast-shifting, sure-slotting gearboxes and we expect the same with the Baleno RS too. The dual-clutch in the Ford Figo is not the fastest shifting in the class and is tuned for smooth shifts and high efficiency. The Polo GT TSI has the best gearbox in the class; the DSG's fast shifts are legendary.

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS seems to be ready to take on its competition if you look at the specs. Of all the hot hatchbacks, the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI will be the greatest competitor the Baleno RS will face. The Abarth Punto has a great motor, but the rest of the package needs improvement.