Reference Auto

In one of the biggest launches in recent times (which also found place on Page One of many dailies), Maruti Suzuki has rolled out the new Alto 800, and before the car entered the showroom, the response has been roaring with buzz that this new 800 cc car could turn out to be the highest selling car in India soon.

Maruti Suzuki knows the car market like no one else and has priced the new Alto 800 prudently (in the range of Rs 2.44 lakh to Rs 3.56 lakh).

It has given the new Alto the looks of a high-end hatchback (this contemporary look gives a feel good factor and is sure to draw many buyers).

Maruti Alto 800 variant prices (ex-showroom Delhi) are: Petrol base version Rs 2.44 lakh, Petrol LX Rs 2.76 lakh, Petrol LXI Rs 2.99 lakh, CNG base Rs 3.19 lakh, CNG LX Rs 3.37 lakh and CNG LXI Rs 3.56 lakh.

The new Alto 800 has a refurbished look, is more spacious and is 15% more efficient than the old Alto, according to Maruti Suzuki. The height of the new 800 has been raised significantly.

The new Alto 800 comes with a slew of changes. The car has a new 796-cc petrol engine, which is more fuel efficient than the outgoing model. Also, airbags will come as an optional feature.

Besides the contemporary design, the interiors have been revamped with dual tone upholstery and come with an additional 15 mm rear leg space.

The petrol version comes with a fuel efficiency of 22.74 km per litre and the CNG variant christened ‘Alto Green’, offers a mileage of 30.46 km per kg, which is 15% more efficient than the previous Alto Green.

The new Alto’s petrol engine can belt out 45.7 bhp of power at 6,000 rpm and the maximum torque stands at 69 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

The CNG variant can produce peak power of 40 bhp at 6,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 56 Nm at 3,000 rpm.

The colour options in the Alto 800 will be Frost Blue, Superior White, Silky Silver, Brown, Granite Grey, Blazing Red and Torque Blue Grey.

The Alto 800, which come in Frost Blue, Superior White and Silky Silver colours will have Grey or Brown interior options. But the Granite Grey, Blazing Red and Torque Blue body colours will have Grey interiors.

The Alto 800 will be vying with Tata Motor’s Nano, Hyundai Eon and Chevrolet Spark (a new version of this car will be out soon).

Besides India, the new Alto 800 will be exported to Latin America along with some African countries from the New Year. This seventh generation car is designed specifically for emerging markets instead of developed nations.

So, with prudent pricing and new looks (along with a higher roof), the Alto 800 gives the feel of a high-end hatch at low price and probably this magic of Maruti Suzuki could see the new car’s sales roar, making it India’s highest selling car in the medium to long term.

The Alto 800 has seen runaway sales this year: till July, the car had notched nearly 1.4 lakh sales, and Maruti Suzuki, to celebrate a year of the car’s launch (and rev up its market share further), has rolled out the ‘Anniversary Edition’ while the Tatas have launched a CNG variant (emax) of the Nano to beef up sales (as the car’s figures had fallen far below expectations).