There is a slew of hot hatchbacks in the Indian market launched in the recent past. Maruti Baleno RS is one such hatchback that was launched with a high-performance turbo-petrol engine. Lately, the number of affordable performance bikes has also increased in the market. KTM 390 Duke is such a popular bike. How do they fare against each other on a drag test? Well, here is a video that shows exactly the same.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Vs KTM 390 Duke
The Baleno RS is Maruti’s most powerful product in the market right now. It is extremely lightweight and gets power from a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine that generates a maximum power of 101 Bhp and 150 Nm of peak torque. It gets a 5-speed manual transmission. The KTM 390 Duke gets a 373cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that generates a maximum power of 43 Bhp and 37 Nm. Yes, it is much less power than the Baleno RS but being extremely lightweight, it has an advantage.
After the false start by the 390 Duke in the first attempt, the 390 Duke wins in both second and third attempts in the drag race. The KTM 390 Duke can be seen flying off the mark and taking a lead with the Baleno RS nowhere near it. The Duke 390 is much quicker off the mark. According to the tests, it can do 0-100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, which is in the supercar territory. The Baleno RS, on the other hand, can do 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, which is quick but not quick enough.
Another advantage that most bikes enjoy over the cars is the gearing ratio. Most performance bikes get 6-gear set-up with a very short first gear. It ensures extremely quick acceleration, which gives momentum to the motorcycle. Bikes are in general very quick off the mark and accelerate quicker than the cars but due to high-stability and more power, the cars have higher top speed. This is a general rule and may not be applicable to every product.
The motorcycles are much more affordable, especially if compared to the price of the cars. The KTM 390 Duke is priced at Rs. 2.39 lakhs, ex-showroom, while the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is priced at Rs. 8.47 lakhs, ex-showroom. The stark difference between the price makes the bikes more popular among the thrill seekers. However, cars offer much more than a motorcycle. It gets critical safety features like airbags and has a solid cage that can be helpful during accidents.
Interestingly, Tata launched the Tiago JTP in the market recently, which makes it the most affordable hot hatchback in the country. It is priced at Rs. 6.39 lakhs and is more powerful than the Baleno RS. We can hope more such high-performance cars launching in the market for the enthusiasts in the future.
