Update: New Maruti Alto K10 is launched now.
The all new facelifted Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is finally here! The car will be simultaneously launched on the 4th of August 2010 in three metros namely Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. The car will be unveiled real-time via satellite in the three cities. CarWale got you the exclusive pictures of the car and now on the eve of its launch, we tell you what the car is like inside-out. We have learnt that the car will be available in two trim levels - the Lxi and the Vxi. Both the variants are equipped with electric assist power steering. The biggest change, the engine - is the same powerplant which does duty on the A-Star, new Wagon R and the new Zen Estilo. This 67bhp, 998cc, three cylinder engine is refined and is fuel efficient as well with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. claiming a fuel economy of 20.2 kilometers to the litre.
The Vxi, which is the top-end trim, will have two power windows in the front and sports body coloured bumpers. It has internally adjustable mirrors on both sides (units are identical to the old Zen and the first Alto's 1.1 from about a decade ago). There's also a new instrument cluster with a digital readout for fuel, trip and the odometer. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has raided the parts bin and has taken the gear knob from the Swift and the steering looks like a close cousin of the new Wagon R's. The hazard light button also has been moved from above the steering column to the center console. The interior of the car receives new light grey-beige interiors with colour co-ordinated fabric inserts in the door pads. We've also been told that the rear seats are more comfortable and apparently Maruti Suzuki has worked on the rear seat to offer a little more legroom than before.
As far as the exterior of the vehicle is concerned, the front end is very reminiscent of the last facelift of the ever popular Maruti Suzuki Esteem before it was phased out and now looks a lot more grown up than before. The small design touches - such as the small kink in the headlamps and bumper do add a bit of character to this budget hatchback. The car will be available in a new shade namely Copper Sunlight (if you can remember from the early Swift days). Stay tuned to our roadtest page as we get you the performance figures soon when we drive this latest offering from Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. We are told that the old Alto will continue to sell alongside the new Alto K10 engine variants. The older Alto will come with the same 796cc engine and would mostly be available as the LX variant. Watch this space for more news.
