Maruti Suzuki Alto

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 was essentially the Indian-built version of the fifth generation Japanese Alto, while the second generation Alto is a standalone model developed mainly for Indian market. It is the best-selling hatchback in India.[1] Since 2006, it is India's largest 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]

For the parent company version, see Suzuki Alto.
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Suzuki Alto 800 (Chile)
Overview
ManufacturerSuzuki
Also calledSuzuki Alto
Production2000–present
Body and chassis
ClassCity car (A)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorMaruti 800

First generation (RF; 2000)
First generation (RF)
2004 Suzuki Alto GL 1.1 (United Kingdom)
Overview
Production2000–2014
AssemblyIndia: Manesar (Maruti Suzuki)
Body and chassis
RelatedSuzuki Alto (fifth generation, HA12)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,360 mm (92.9 in)
Length3,495 mm (137.6 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,460 mm (57.5 in)
Curb weight670 kg (1,477 lb)

The first generation was launched in the local Indian market on 27 September 2000[1] although the Alto nameplate had been successfully used to export the Maruti Zen to Europe from India since around 1994,[4] having captured over 40% market share in Belgium and 33% in Netherlands by 1998.[5] The original Alto 800 carries the RF308 chassis code while the three-cylinder K10 is RF310; the four-cylinder export version is RF410.

Europe

This model, using the fuel injected 1061 cc F10D engine, entered the European market at the March 2002 Geneva Motor Show.[6] Being built in India by Maruti, it was only available with five doors, unlike earlier Altos in Europe.

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 32bit 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 64 PS (47 kW) and 80 N⋅m (8 kg⋅m; 59 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.

800 cc Alto (RF308):

  • Maximum Power: 47 PS (35 kW) at 6200 rpm
  • Torque: 62 N⋅m (46 lbf⋅ft) at 3000 rpm
  • Acceleration 0–100 km/h: approximately 20 seconds
  • Top Speed: 137 km/h (85 mph)

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.

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.

  • 2011 Suzuki Alto K10 DLX (Chile)
  • 2004 Suzuki Alto GL 1.1 (United Kingdom)
  • Dashboard of a 2008 Maruti Suzuki Alto

Second generation (AOD; 2012)
Second generation (AOD)
Maruti Alto 800 LXi
Overview
Production2012–present
Assembly
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,360 mm (92.9 in)
Length
  • 3,430 mm (135.0 in) (800)
  • 3,545 mm (139.6 in) (K10)
Width
  • 1,490 mm (58.7 in)
  • 1,515 mm (59.6 in) (with body side moulding)
Height1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Curb weight
  • 695 kg (1,532 lb) (800)
  • 740 kg (1,631 lb) (K10)
Chronology
SuccessorMaruti Suzuki S-Presso (Alto K10)[9]

A new version of the Alto called the Alto 800 was released in the Indian car market on 16 October 2012.[10] The Alto 800, model code AOD308, 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 796 cc (48.6 cu in) engine, there have been several modifications. The price of the Alto, already India's best-selling car, was actually lowered with the model change. Various methods were found to lower the price, including the lowering of the weight of each individual component by one gram each, and also by building their own robots for manufacturing the car.[11] This is also sold as the Suzuki Alto 800 in many export markets. In May 2016, refurbished version of Alto 800 has been introduced with notable changes to the exteriors, interiors, features and specifications. The new Maruti Alto 800 comes with an improved fuel efficiency. It is now capable of returning a mileage of 24.7 km/l.

Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki then launched a K10-powered version of the second generation Alto (AOD310) on 3 November 2014.[12] 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 replaced by the S-Presso.[13] The 800 cc variant remains in production.

  • 2014 Suzuki Alto 800 GL (Chile)
  • 2016 Suzuki Alto K10 GLX (Chile)
  • 2018 Suzuki Alto K10 GLX (Chile)

References
  1. "Maruti Alto crosses one million units". Maruti Suzuki India Limited. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  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. "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.
  5. "Maruti to decide on another price hike soon: MD". Indian Express. 4 June 1998. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  6. 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.
  7. Economic Times (30 July 2010). Maruti Alto K10 Launch
  8. 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.
  9. https://www.drivespark.com/four-wheelers/2020/maruti-suzuki-alto-k10-discontinued-in-india-s-presso-establishes-itself-as-bankable-030307.html
  10. 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
  11. Sen, Sunny. "Honey, I shrunk the price: Maruti triggers price war with new Alto 800. Will it pay off?". Business Today. Living Media India Limited (2012–11–25). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  12. CarDekho Team. "Maruti Alto K10 Facelift Launched at Rs. 3.06 Lakh". CarDekho.com. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  13. "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.
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