Review: 2017 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi


15 December 2017, Neil Parkhi


Introduction

The Suzuki Alto is a kei car built by Suzuki. It’s selling points have long included a low price and good fuel economy. A new version of the Alto called the Alto 800 was released in the Indian car market on October 2012. Maruti Suzuki India then launched a K10-powered version of the second generation Alto on 3 November 2014. Introduced at a base price of Rs. 3.06 Lakh, the next gen Alto K10 comes with multiple exterior and interiors updates, however mechanically it remains same. The car is a somewhat upgraded version of the Alto 800 with a new front fascia comprising a new chrome fitted front grille, new swept back headlamps, and a redesigned bonnet line. There are also amendments for tail lights, restructuring of bumpers, 13 inch wheels, ORVMs, door moulding and some other minor modifications. Interiors too have been updated, with a new dashboard, three-spoke steering wheel, refined upholstery, black finished music system and a better looking instrument cluster. Other added features inside the car include front power windows, 12 V power socket, internally adjustable ORVMs, headlamp warning buzzer, key off reminder and gearshift indicator. Powering the 2015 Alto K10 is the same 1.0-litre K10B engine. However, this time it has been tuned to provide better fuel economy, and the new Alto K10 returns an ARAI-certified fuel economy of 24.06kmpl, 15 per cent better than the outgoing model.The Alto K10 Facelift is available with two different transmission; 5-speed manual and 5-speed AGS (Auto Gear Shift) Transmission. The AGS is an automated manual transmission technology, which shifts gear with the help of an ECU mapped actuator on pre-defined engine speeds. It also allows driver to shift gears when required.

Heritage

The Alto, currently in its eighth generation, was first introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide. The Alto badge has often been used on different cars in Japan and in export markets, where it is considered a city car. In Japan, the Alto badge was originally meant to be for the commercial use version of the Fronte passenger car. When introduced, the Alto was only available as a two-door "light van" and with bare-bones equipment. However, Suzuki had never used the "Fronte" badge in export, and chose to call all versions "Alto" abroad. Most early export Altos were thus technically speaking rebadged Suzuki Frontes. These were exported with changes such as enlarged engines, sometimes modified bodywork. Thus the Japanese SS40 Fronte became the SS80 Alto with a 796 cc engine abroad. The Alto badge gradually took over in Japan as well, as the distinction between kei commercial vehicles and passenger cars was diminished in early 1989. The Fronte line was retired in March 1989. The Alto plate has been used on export versions of various Indian-built derivatives since the early 1990s, as neither cars are restricted by the kei rules and Indian cars are also considerably cheaper than Japanese-built ones. The fifth-generation Alto (HA12/22) was introduced in October 1998. The styling was generally more rounded, the shape of the cabin showing the Alto's relationship with the new Suzuki Kei. The Maruti Alto is the Indian-built version of the fifth generation Alto, manufactured by Maruti Suzuki. It was launched in the local Indian market on 27 September 2000 although the Alto nameplate had been successfully used to export the Maruti Zen to Europe from India since around 1994 having captured over 40% market share in Belgium and 33% in Netherlands by 1998. It is the best-selling hatchback in India. Since 2006, it is India's largest selling car and crossed the 1 million production figure in February 2008 becoming the third Maruti model to cross the million mark in India after Maruti 800 and Maruti Omni and fourth overall joining Hyundai Santro. Maruti Suzuki India launched a new version of the first generation Alto in the Indian auto market in August 2010, the Alto K10. The new Maruti Alto K10 is equipped with the company's 1.0L, K-series petrol engine which also currently powers the Celerio and Wagon R.

Specifications

Steering and Transmission
Steering Type Electric Assist, Rack and Pinion Power Steering
Transmission Type 5 Speed Manual
Wheels and Tires
Front Wheel Type 13 inch steel wheels with 7 spoke wheel caps
Rear Wheel Type 13 inch steel wheels with 7 spoke wheel caps
Front Tire Type 155/65R13
Rear Tire Type 155/65R13
Front Brake Type Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type Drum
Suspension
Front Suspension Type MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Type Tri-Link Rigid Axle
Suspension Features Coil Springs, Gas Pressurized Shock Absorbers
Dimensions
Length (in, mm) 139.5in, 3545mm
Width (in, mm) 58.6in, 1490mm
Height (in, mm) 58in, 1475mm
Wheelbase (in, mm) 92.9in, 2360mm
Weight (lb, kg) 1653lb, 750kg
Engine Specifications
Engine Type 1.0 litre 12 valve petrol inline 3 cylinder
Power (bhp, PS, kW) 67bhp, 68PS, 50kW @ 6000RPM
Torque (lb-ft, Nm) 66lb-ft, 90Nm @ 3500RPM
0-60 mph (0-97 kmph) 12.9 seconds
Top Speed (mph, kmph) 87 mph, 145 kmph
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Fuel Tank Size (gal, L) 9.2 gallons, 35L
Fuel Type (AKI, RON) 87 Octane/AKI Petrol (92 RON)
City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) 54mpg, 23kmpL
City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) 59mpg, 25kmpL
Cargo Specifications
Cargo Space (ft3, L) 6.3ft3, 177L
Max. Cargo Space (ft3, L) 6.3ft3, 177L