Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS India launch Highlights: Go-faster Baleno priced at Rs 8.69 lakh; all you need to know

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest car-maker, pulled the wraps off the much-awaited Baleno RS in India on Friday. Baleno RS, the company's first offering in the hot-hatch segment, has been priced at Rs 8.69 lakh.

Launch Highlights

And yes, that's it we have for today. With that we conclude the launch LIVE of the Baleno RS. Thank you for staying with us!

19.08 p.m.: The wait comes to an end. The sporty Baleno RS has been launched with a price tag of Rs 8.69 lakh.

19.02 p.m.: And here it comes. Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS, the star of the show, takes the centre stage.

18.58 p.m.: Baleno RS claims to offer 21.1 kmpl of fuel efficiency.

18.55 p.m.: Baleno RS packs 1.0-litre BoosterJet engine, which is tuned to churn out 100bhp at 5,500rpm 1,700 and 4,500rpm.

18. 53 p.m.: Maruti Baleno sales have crossed 1.5 lakh in India.

18.52 p.m.: The 'RS' in Baleno RS stands for Road Sports.

18.50 p.m.: Baleno RS is a perfect fit for Maruti's Nexa channel, says RS Kalsi.

18.47 p.m.: RS Kalsi, head of marketing and sales at Maruti Suzuki India takes over the stage.

18.44 p.m.: Baleno is a block-buster in India, says Kenichi Ayukawa.

18.41 p.m.: The Baleno RS will mark Maruti's entry into the hot-hatch segment in India.

18.38 p.m.: Maruti Suzuki MD Kenichi Ayukawa is on the stage to kick-start the event proceedings.

18.37 p.m.: Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS launch event begins.

18.22 p.m.: Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS launch proceedings to begin shortly. Stay tuned. More updates coming soon.

18.21 p.m.: Are you excited to see the arrival of the new Baleno RS?

16.00 p.m.: Baleno RS will be sold only on the top-spec Alpha trim.

15.55 p.m.: The bookings for Baleno RS, the go-faster version of the Baleno hatchback are open in the country.

15.45 p.m.: The powerful engine version of the Baleno is Maruti's first model to get Boosterjet turbo-petrol mill.

15.40 p.m.: The Baleno RS was first showcased at the Auto Expo 2016.

15.35 p.m.: It will be the second affordable hot hatchback in the country to get all-wheel disc brakes after the Fiat Abarth Punto.

15.30 p.m.: The Baleno RS will feature disc brakes on all four wheels.

15.20 p.m.: The Baleno RS will be sold in seven exterior colours — Ray Blue, Autumn Orange, Fire Red, Pearl Arctic, Premium Silver, Granite Gray and Premium Urban Blue.

15.10 p.m.: Baleno RS will come with a seven-inch touchscreen SmartPlay entertainment system with navigation and safety features such as ABS and dual airbag as standard.

14.50 p.m.: The launch event of the new Baleno RS will kick-start at 6.30 p.m.

14.45 p.m.: The Boosterjet engine-variant of the Baleno is the second model to join Nexa in 2017 after the Ignis.

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, is all set to pull the wraps off its powerful hatchback the Baleno RS in India on Friday, March 3. The Baleno RS, the Booster Jet engine variant of the much-acclaimed model the Baleno, will be the second model of Maruti Suzuki to join the Nexa premium dealership line-up in the country this year.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS—A closer look

At the heart of the go-faster version of the Baleno will be a 1.0-litre BoosterJet engine, which is tuned to churn out 100bhp at 5,500rpm 1,700 and 4,500rpm. The current Baleno is powered by 1.2-litre petrol and 1.2-litre diesel engines.

From a visual stand point, the Baleno RS, although will stay very much in the silhouette of the regular Baleno, it will feature Bi-xenon automatic headlamps with LED DRLs, electrically adjustable wing mirrors, side skirts and new diamond cut alloy wheels along with sportier front and rear bumpers to make it different. The cabin of the RS version will have all-black themes and feature a contrast stitching upholstery. The hot hatch of Maruti Suzuki will race in the Indian market against Fiat Abarth Punto, Ford Figo 1.5-litre petrol and Volkswagen Polo GT TSI in India.

Maruti is expected to price the new Baleno RS in the Rs 8 lakh brackets.

Stay tuned as we bring you all the LIVE updates from the launch floor of the Baleno RS.