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Some dealers have slashed the prices of Baleno RS by Rs 1 lakh.
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Maruti is unlikely to upgrade the 1.0-litre boosterjet engine to make it BS6 compliant.
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With the price cut, the Baleno RS is priced at Rs 7.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
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It now comes almost at par with the top-spec Alpha petrol variant of the regular Baleno.
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The Baleno RS features some cosmetic updates and rear disc brakes over the standard version.
The Baleno RS was an attempt by India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, to introduce a sportier version of one of its hatchbacks. The go-fast was introduced with a 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine that produces 102PS of max power and 175Nm of peak torque. However, the hot hatch could not generate enough demand and now some dealerships are offering huge discounts on the model. Take a look at its new pricing:
| Old Price | New Price | |
| Baleno RS | Rs 8.89 lakh | Rs 7.89 lakh |
(All prices ex-showroom)
So what are the reasons for such a significant price cut? Well, to begin with, the automobile industry has been facing a sludge for the past few months. Moreover, it isn’t as popular as the regular Baleno. Maruti also doesn’t seem keen on updating it to meet the revised emission norms, which makes us question the Baleno RS’ future.
The Baleno RS used to cost Rs 1 lakh more than the top-spec Baleno petrol Alpha manual variant, which is priced at Rs 7.58 lakh. It gets more power than the regular version along with stiffened suspension, rear disc brakes and some cosmetic changes. However, the regular Baleno is available with a BS6-compliant engine.
Following the recent reduction in corporate taxes by the government, Maruti had decreased the prices of around 10 models by Rs 5,000. The brand is hopeful of reversing the condition and increasing sales.
Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho.
