The Baleno, as we know, is one of the bestselling models for Maruti Suzuki. The premium hatchback, which is known as the Glanza in Toyota’s world, is the undisputed king in its segment. Do you want some figures? The Baleno surpassed 6-lakh lifetime sales in just 44 months. Simple math reveals that number translates to 4 months short of four years.

Let’s cut to the chase, shall we! One of the several Baleno variants is the RS. Devised for those who put performance over everything else, it received an upward price revision in April this year. Now, however, the hot-hatch has received a price cut and that too a massive one. Its asking price is down by Rs 1 lakh, and it now costs Rs 7.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). That means the sub-4 metre car, with 101hp/150Nm on tap, costs less than the Zeta and Alpha trims of both the 1.2-litre petrol and the 1.3-litre diesel.

It is worth noting that all Baleno variants which powered by the 1.2-litre petrol engine are BS6-ready. The said engine is available with and without Maruti Suzuki’s mild-hybrid system. The diesel, on the other hand, is set to be phased out. And not just from the Baleno’s portfolio but from all other models that it currently serves. That’s because India’s largest carmaker has decided to stop selling diesel-fed models in the BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) era. However, it will keep the 1.5-litre DDiS engine on standby if there is demand.

The Baleno RS gets its kick from a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This engine is unlikely to be upgraded to meet the stricter emission norms. So for that reason, we believe, Maruti Suzuki has slashed the price. In case you do not fancy the Baleno RS, you still have performance-oriented, petrol-powered hatchbacks in the market. That list includes the Volkswagen GT TSI on one side of the Baleno RS and the Tata Tiago JTP on the other.

Also Read: Carefully Selected Maruti Suzuki Models Receive Price Cuts