Maruti Suzuki Alto

Last updated
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Suzuki Alto 800 GL 2011.jpg
Suzuki Alto 800 (Chile)
Overview
Manufacturer Maruti Suzuki
Also called Suzuki Alto
Production2000–present
Body and chassis
Class City car (A)
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor Maruti 800

The Maruti Suzuki Alto is a city car manufactured and marketed by Suzuki through its subsidiary Maruti Suzuki primarily for the Indian market since 2000. The first-generation model was essentially the Indian version of the fifth-generation Suzuki Alto kei car (with larger engine options). The second generation was made as a standalone model, which was built on the same platform as the first generation. [1] The third-generation model is built on the same underpinnings as the S-Presso.

Contents

Since 2006, the Alto has been India's best-selling car [2] 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. [3] [4]

First generation (RF; 2000)

First generation (RF)
2004 Suzuki Alto GL 1.1 Front.jpg
2004 Suzuki Alto GL 1.1 (UK; pre-facelift)
Overview
Production2000–2014
AssemblyIndia: Manesar (Maruti Suzuki)
Body and chassis
Related Suzuki Alto (HA12)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,360 mm (92.9 in) 6
Length
  • 3,495 mm (137.6 in)
  • 3,620 mm (142.5 in) (K10)
Width
  • 1,475 mm (58.1 in)
  • 1,495 mm (58.9 in) (with body mouldings)
Height1,460 mm (57.5 in)
Curb weight 740–820 kg (1,631–1,808 lb)

The first generation was launched to the local Indian market on 27 September 2000 [4] although the Alto nameplate had been successfully used to export the Maruti Suzuki Zen to Europe from India since around 1994, [5] having captured over 40% market share in Belgium and 33% in Netherlands by 1998. [6] The original Alto 800 carries the RF308 chassis code while the three-cylinder K10 is RF310; the four-cylinder export version is RF410.

The Alto was seen as a natural successor to the time-tested and equally popular Maruti 800 (MB 308). It contained all the plus points that the 800 offered Indian car-buyers, in addition to features such as power-steering, power-assisted braking and a 5th gear that the 800 did not normally have. The popularity of the Alto has steadily increased over the past few years, mainly due to the aggressive pricing. This reduction in prices has mainly come in due to the reduction in excise duty over time. Alto became the first car in India to sell over 200,000 units in a single financial year, the last 100,000 units being sold in 5 months. Alto was also the only car to sell over 22,000 units in a single month. Maruti's vast network of dealerships and Maruti Authorized Service Centers (MASS) have also contributed towards this massive popularity in the Indian entry-level automobile market.

Alto K10 (RF310)

Maruti Suzuki India launched a new version of the first generation Alto in the Indian auto market in August 2010, the Alto K10. [7] The new Maruti Alto K10 is equipped with the company's 1.0-litre, K-series DOHC inline-three petrol engine which also powered the Celerio and Wagon R, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The 998 cc (60.9 cu in) K10B engine delivers 68 PS (50 kW) of maximum power at 6200 rpm with 90 N⋅m (66 lb⋅ft; 9 kg⋅m) of maximum torque at 3200 rpm. The K10 has a redesigned front end, with more sculpted headlights. This spelled the end for the F10-engined model, while the F8-engined Alto was replaced by the all-new Alto 800 in late 2012. The Alto K10 remained in production until 2014.

Europe

This model, using the fuel injected 1061 cc F10D engine, entered the European market at the March 2002 Geneva Motor Show. [8] Being built in India by Maruti, it was only available with five doors, unlike earlier Maruti Zen-based Altos in Europe. Unlike in India, European model Alto was available with a 3-speed automatic transmission option. [9] The car was discontinued in 2006.

Specifications

Until the late 2010 introduction of the K10 Alto, it was powered by a three-cylinder 796 cc (48.6 cu in) gasoline engine with four valves per cylinder, MPFI and a 32-bit ECM. All models have a five-speed manual transmission. There also used to be a VX/VXi model (RF410) with a four-cylinder 1061-cc engine with 63 PS (46 kW) and 85 N⋅m (9 kg⋅m; 63 lb⋅ft) torque, launched in April 2001. This has now been discontinued, although it was sold for longer in certain European countries. The VX model also featured a tachometer not found in lesser Altos.

Alto 800 (RF308):

Alto 1.1 (RF410): [9]

Alto K10 (RF310):

Safety

The Indian-made K10 version in its most basic Latin American market configuration with no airbags was crash tested by Latin NCAP in 2013. It received 0 stars for the adult occupant and 3 stars for child occupant. The car is not equipped with airbags, front seatbelts with pretensioner, ISOFIX or ABS. [10]

Second generation (AOD; 2012)

Second generation (AOD)
Maruti Suzuki - Alto 800 LXi.JPG
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXi (India; pre-facelift)
Overview
Production
  • 2012–2023 (Alto 800)
  • 2014–2020 (Alto K10)
Assembly
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,360 mm (92.9 in)
Length
  • 3,395 mm (133.7 in) (pre-facelift 800)
  • 3,430 mm (135.0 in) (first facelift 800)
  • 3,445 mm (135.6 in) (second facelift 800)
  • 3,545 mm (139.6 in) (K10)
Width
  • 1,490 mm (58.7 in)
  • 1,515 mm (59.6 in) (with body side mouldings)
Height1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Curb weight
  • 695–850 kg (1,532–1,874 lb) (800)
  • 740–867 kg (1,631–1,911 lb) (K10)

A new version of the Alto called the Alto 800 was released in the Indian car market on 16 October 2012. [12] The Alto 800, model code AOD308, is still based on the previous generation's platform [1] (which is still based on the 1998 Alto kei car) and has all-new bodywork and interior. It replaced the first generation Maruti Alto (although the predecessor continued to be produced for a little longer), and while keeping the same 796 cc (48.6 cu in) engine, there have been several modifications. The base price of the Alto, already India's best-selling car, was actually lowered with the new model, as it replaced the venerable Maruti 800. Various methods were found to lower the price, including lowering the weight of each individual component by one gram each, and also by building their own robots for manufacturing the car. [13] It was also sold as the Suzuki Alto 800 in many export markets. In May 2016, a refreshed version of Alto 800 was introduced with notable changes to the exterior, interior, features and specifications. The new Maruti Alto 800 comes with improved fuel efficiency and is now capable of returning a mileage of 24.7 km/L. In April 2019, the car received another refresh. The Alto 800 did not comply with BSVI emissions standards and was thus discontinued in 2023 when BSVI Stage II was enforced.

Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki then launched a K10-powered version of the second generation Alto (AOD310) on 3 November 2014. [14] 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, door mirrors, 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 door mirrors, headlamp warning buzzer, key off reminder and gearshift indicator.

Powering the 2015 Alto K10 is the same 1.0-litre K10B engine that also powers the Celerio and Wagon R. However, this time it has been tuned to provide better fuel economy, and the new Alto K10 returns an ARAI-certified fuel economy of 24.06 km/L, 15 percent better than the outgoing model. The Alto K10 facelift is available with two different transmission; 5-speed manual and 5-speed Auto Gear Shift (AGS) 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.

The Alto K10 was discontinued in 2020, being temporarily replaced by the S-Presso. [15] The 800 cc variant was later discontinued in 2023 due to new emission standards.

Safety

In 2014, an Alto 800 with no airbags and no ABS was crash tested by Global NCAP (similar to Latin NCAP 2013). The car received 0 stars for adult occupant and 2 stars for child occupant. [16]

Third generation (2022)

Third generation
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10.jpg
2022 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi (India)
Overview
Also calledSuzuki Tour H1 (LCV) [17]
Production2022–present
AssemblyIndia: Manesar (Maruti Suzuki)
Body and chassis
Platform HEARTECT
Related Suzuki S-Presso
Powertrain
Engine
Power output49 kW (65.7 hp; 66.6 PS)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,380 mm (93.7 in)
Length3,530 mm (139.0 in)
Width1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Height1,520 mm (59.8 in)

The Alto K10 was launched in India as a new generation on 18 August 2022 after two years of hiatus. [18] It is built on the HEARTECT platform shared with the S-Presso.

Safety

Maruti Alto K10 Rated 2 star in Global NCAP under its new protocol (based on Latin NCAP 2016) in 2023:

2023 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 'LXI', RHD
Global NCAP scores (2023)
Result valid forIndian market
Adult Occupant starsStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Adult Occupant score21.67 max. 34.00
Child Occupant starsStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Child Occupant score03.52 max. 49.00

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maruti 800</span> Motor vehicle

The Maruti Suzuki 800 is a city car that was manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India from 1983 to 2014. The first generation (SS80) was based on the 1979 Suzuki Alto and had an 800 cc F8B engine, hence the moniker. Widely regarded as the most influential automobile in India, about 2.87 million 800s were produced during its course of which 2.66 million were sold in India itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Swift</span> Subcompact car

The Suzuki Swift is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by Suzuki. The vehicle is classified as a B-segment marque in the European single market, a segment referred to as a supermini in the British Isles. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the rebadged Suzuki Cultus in numerous export markets since 1985 and for the Japanese-market Suzuki Ignis since 2000. The Swift became its own model in 2004. Currently, the Swift is positioned between Ignis and Baleno in Suzuki's global hatchback lineup.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited is the Indian subsidiary of Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation. As of September 2022, the company had a leading market share of 42 percent in the Indian passenger car market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tata Safari</span> Indian mid-size SUV

The Tata Safari is a mid-size SUV produced by the Indian automobile manufacturer Tata Motors since 1998. The first-generation Safari has been designed as a seven-seater SUV with a foldable third row, roomy interior; on the market it has positioned itself as an alternative from the competitive price to other brands off-road vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Alto</span> Kei car manufactured by Suzuki

The Suzuki Alto is a kei car produced by Suzuki since 1979. The model, currently in its ninth generation, was first introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide. The Alto originated as a commercial vehicle derivative of the Fronte, but over time the Alto nameplate gained in popularity and by 1988 it replaced the Fronte name completely. The Alto badge has often been used on different cars in Japan and in export markets, where it is considered a city car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Ignis</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Ignis is an automobile nameplate that was first produced by Suzuki in 2000 as a subcompact car, replacing the Suzuki Cultus, and subsequently as a crossover-styled city car from 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maruti Suzuki Zen</span> Motor vehicle

The Maruti Suzuki Zen is a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Suzuki's Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki from 1993 until 2006; it is a widened version of the Suzuki Cervo Mode. The word "ZEN" is an acronym standing for Zero Engine Noise. It also stands for the Japanese word "Zen" which means 'Complete'. The Indian-built Zen was also exported to other countries as the Suzuki Alto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki SX4</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki SX4 is a subcompact car and crossover produced by Japanese automaker Suzuki since 2006. A successor of the Aerio tall hatchback and sedan, the first-generation model was available as a hatchback and sedan, with the former available in both front- and four-wheel drive and as a rebadged version in Europe called the Fiat Sedici.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Carry</span> Kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki

The Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the passenger van versions were renamed as the Suzuki Every. In Japan, the Carry and Every are kei cars but the Suzuki Every Plus, the bigger version of Every, had a longer bonnet for safety purposes and a larger 1.3-liter 86-hp (63 kW) four-cylinder engine. They have been sold under myriad different names in several countries, including those with Chevrolet and Ford badges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki MR Wagon</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki MR Wagon is a 4-seater kei car manufactured by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan by Nissan as the Nissan Moco under an OEM agreement. The model debuted in 2001, and since 2011 it has been in its third generation. The first generation was also produced and sold in India by Maruti Suzuki as Maruti Zen Estilo, which was launched in 2006, Maruti Zen Estilo was discontinued in 2009 and renamed as Maruti Estilo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Splash</span> City car

The Suzuki Splash is a city car that was introduced to the market in 2008. It was jointly developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and Opel GmbH, which market their version under the name of Agila. Its debut as a concept car took place at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, making its production form debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai i20</span> Motor vehicle

The Hyundai i20 is a supermini hatchback produced by Hyundai since 2008. The i20 made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008, and sits between the i10 and i30. The i20 replaces the Getz in nearly all of its markets, while several markets received the slightly larger Accent/Verna hatchback to replace it instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Eeco</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Eeco is a microvan produced by Suzuki through its Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki since 2010. It is a stripped down version of the discontinued Versa which itself was the Indian version of the Suzuki Every Plus / Landy, which is an extended version of the tenth generation Carry van. It is also the entry-level replacement for the Omni, discontinued in 2019 after Suzuki was unable to redesign the Omni to meet India's safety standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Ertiga</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Ertiga is a series of multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) manufactured by the Japanese carmaker Suzuki since the year 2012. The first-generation model is heavily based on the Swift while the second-generation model introduced in 2018 is made larger and based on the HEARTECT platform. A crossover-styled version was introduced in 2019 as a separate model called the Suzuki XL6 in India and Suzuki XL7 for worldwide markets. The largest markets for the Ertiga are India and Indonesia, where the model is mainly manufactured. The vehicle has also been exported to other South Asian and Southeast Asian markets, along with several markets in Africa, Middle East, Pacific Islands, Caribbean and Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Celerio</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Celerio is a hatchback city car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki since 2008. Originally a rebadged Alto/A-Star city car for some markets, the Celerio was made as a global nameplate and a standalone model replacing the A-Star in 2014. Suzuki unveiled the second-generation Celerio at the Auto Expo 2014 in India, after being previewed as the A:Wind concept model at the Thailand International Motor Expo in November 2013. The third-generation model was unveiled in November 2021. In 2023, the third-generation model was also marketed by Toyota in African markets as the Toyota Vitz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Brezza</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Brezza is a subcompact crossover SUV from Suzuki and manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. The Brezza is the first Suzuki-branded car which was fully developed in India. The model was designed as a smaller alternative to the global market Vitara and targeted to young audiences. It is only available for right-hand drive emerging markets in Asia and Africa. The first-generation model was also marketed by Toyota as the Toyota Urban Cruiser between 2020 and 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Baleno (2015)</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Baleno is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki in India since September 2015 with a hatchback body style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Dzire</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki Dzire, known as the Suzuki Swift Sedan in Colombia and Guatemala, is a subcompact notchback sedan made by Suzuki mainly for the Indian market since 2008. It was developed as a sedan variation of the Swift hatchback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki S-Presso</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki S-Presso is a car produced by Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki's subsidiary in India since 2019. A city car with several crossover-inspired design elements, it slots above the Alto and below the Wagon R in the Indian market. The car is marketed as a "micro SUV" or a "mini crossover" by its rugged styling and high ground clearance of 180 mm (7.1 in). The S-Presso is built on the HEARTECT platform derived from Suzuki's kei cars and uses 40% high tensile steel. It is exported to several emerging markets in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maruti Suzuki Wagon R</span> Motor vehicle

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a city car manufactured and marketed by Suzuki through its subsidiary Maruti Suzuki primarily for the Indian market since 1999. The Wagon R was launched in India on 18 December 1999, and has since undergone several upgrades. The second-generation Wagon R model and styling was also shared with the Karimun Wagon R for the Indonesian market and the Wagon R for the Pakistani market, despite several differences.

References

  1. 1 2 "New Maruti Alto 800 launched". Auto Car India. 16 October 2010.
  2. "Maruti Alto is India's highest selling car". domain-b.com. 2 November 2006. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  3. "The Continental Divide: The Most Popular Cars by Continent". Automotoportal.com. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Maruti Alto crosses one million units". Maruti Suzuki India Limited. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  5. "Maruti's exports cross half a million". The Hindu Business Line. 28 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 May 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  6. "Maruti to decide on another price hike soon: MD". Indian Express. 4 June 1998. Retrieved 26 January 2009. reklama na samochód
  7. Economic Times (30 July 2010). Maruti Alto K10 Launch
  8. Mazur, Eligiusz, ed. (2002). "Katalog Samochody Świata 2003" [World Car Catalogue 2003]. Samochody Świata. Warsaw, Poland: Print Shops Prego - Polska Sp. z o.o.: 198. ISSN   1234-8198.
  9. 1 2 "Suzuki Alto Brochure 09/2004 DE Germany - Page 10". Veikl (in German).
  10. "Suzuki Alto K10 - NO Airbags". Latin NCAP.
  11. Bouchaàla, Faris (2018-12-12). "AUTOWEST 2018 / SUZUKI Cima Motors: Exposition des modèles made in DZ, commercialisation reportée" [Exhibition of vehicles made in DZ, sales postponed] (in French). Autobip. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15.
  12. Maruti Finally Presents Its Alto 800 To Indians News article on Alto 800 India launch by Carazoo Archived 26 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Sen, Sunny. "Honey, I shrunk the price: Maruti triggers price war with new Alto 800. Will it pay off?". Business Today (2012–11–25). Living Media India Limited. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  14. CarDekho Team. "Maruti Alto K10 Facelift Launched at Rs. 3.06 Lakh". CarDekho.com. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  15. "Maruti Alto K10 Discontinued As S-Presso Establishes Itself In The Market". GaadiWaadi.com. 2020-02-01. Archived from the original on 2020-02-06.
  16. "Suzuki Maruti Alto - No Airbags" (PDF). Global NCAP.
  17. Pappas, Thanos (June 24, 2023). "Suzuki Tour H1 Is Alto's Dirt-Cheap LCV Twin For India". Carscoops.
  18. "Introducing the Maruti Suzuki All-New Alto K10" (Press release). New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Limited. 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2022-08-18.