Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto
Suzuki
aka	Suzuki Celerio, Maruti-Suzuki A-Star, Nissan Pixo
Production	2008 - present
Class	Subcompact
Body Style	5 dr 4 seat Hatchback
Length	3500 mm
Width	1600 mm
Height	Height - type here
Wheelbase	2360 mm
Weight	850 kg
Transmission	5 speed Manual 4 speed Automatic, FWD
Engine	1.0 lire 998 cc K series K10B Engine MPFI
Power	66 bhp @6200 rpm , 90 nm of torque@3500 rpm
Similar	Nissan Micra Hyundai i10 Toyota Aygo
Designer	Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)

The Suzuki Alto (Japanese: スズキ・アルト, Hepburn: Suzuki Aruto) 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.

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Recent Changes

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Styles and Major Options

Certain vehicles come in different trim levels or body styles. Features and major options should be mentioned here.

Australian Market

GL

• Safety features
• IPod/MP3 auxiliary jack
• Remote entry
• Air conditioning
• Electric front windows
• CD player

GLX

• 14 inch Alloy wheels
• Electronic Stability Control
• Body coloured door handles
• Front foglamps
• 6 speaker stereo system
• Tachometer

Pricing

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MODEL Trims
Trim1	Trim2	Trim3	Trim4
MSRP
$Price1	$Price2	$Price3	$Price4
Invoice
$Price1	$Price2	$Price3	$Price4

Gas Mileage

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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
Trim1	Trim2	Trim3	Trim4
MPG
c/h	c/h	c/h	c/h

Engine and Transmission

Suzuki Alto called as Maruti A-star in India. Maruti Suzuki has equipped the A-star with the advance KB series engine. Suzuki has invested over Rs1200 crores this and 3 years to make this petrol mill . The new-generation three-cylinder, light-weight aluminum K10B engine produces 67ps @ 6200 rpm and torque of 90nm @ 3500 rpm. The engine is paired with a five speed autobox.

Performance

Suzuki Alto called as Maruti A-star in India. The flat torque of this engine and short throw gearbox makes the A-star an ideal car to negotiate the stop-go city traffic conditions. The engine loves to be revved but at high gears it feels short of torque than the expected. The gearbox feels good unlike the one in the WagonR and Zen estilo. Response in highway is good, but, remember this is a 3 cylinder motor, it feels stressed as you move past three digit figure and runs out of gas after 140kmph. Also the engine is little noisy too. However we must agree that Maruti Suzuki has find somehow an engine delivering performance of a 4 cylinder motor and fuel efficiency of a 3 cylinder one. A-star returns 14kmpl in actual driving conditions. Review of Maruti A-star

Reliability

Warranty options and scheduled maintainence information should be mentioned here.

Safety

The Suzuki Alto built between 1985-2000 have been rated 1 star by the Australasian Used Car Safety Rating.

Suzuki Alto 1985-2000 Safety Report

The current Suzuki Alto scored 3 stars out of 5 when tested by EuroNCAP. [1]

• Dual front airbags
• Front side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Brake Assist

Photos

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Colors

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Main Competitors

• Nissan Micra
• Hyundai Getz
• Mitsubishi Colt
• Toyota Yaris
• Honda Fit/Jazz
• Tata Indica
• Hyundai i20
• Chevrolet Aveo

Hybrid Models

The Suzuki Alto has no hybrid model.

Unique Attributes

The Alto is Australia's most fuel efficient light petrol car with the fuel consumption of 4.8L/100 km.

85% of the new Alto is recyclable.

In 2009, the Alto entered the Global Green Challenge.

Interior

The Alto's boxy body enables good room for its occupants particularly head room. The driver and front passenger will benefit good head and leg room whereas for backseat passengers, leg room is modest.

The cabin uses sturdy and hard plastics, an integrated CD stereo and a height-adjustable steering wheel. The front seats are similar to the seats found in the Swift and SX4 to reduce costs. The base model Alto gets a motorcycle styled speedometer with a digital fuel gauge inside. The CD stereo placed at the centre of the dashboard is designed to wrap around.

Despite the Alto's small boot, the backseat is split fold 50:50 to enable even more room for bigger items. In the cabin, the Alto provides many storage compartments but the glovebox is flawed.

Resale Values

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<MODEL> Year
Year X	Year X-2	Year X-3	Year X-4
Resale Value
$	$	$	$

Criticisms

One of the criticisms of the current model Alto is a lack of Electronic Stabilty Control not being standard for the base model destined for the Australian market.

Generations

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Ninth generation (2021)

The ninth-generation Alto was introduced in Japan in December 2021. It is continued to be built on lightweight HEARTECT platform and powered with the same R06A engine for the conventional models. Additionally, the car received new R06D engine with mild hybrid system that was also seen in Suzuki Wagon R Smile. CVT is the only transmission that available in this generation and became the first Alto without manual transmission option. The Auto Gear Shift (AGS) automated manual transmission is also abolished.

Four trim levels are available, "A" and "L" for conventional model and "S" and "X" for hybrid model.

Eighth generation (2014)

The eighth-generation Alto was introduced in Japan in December 2014. The new Alto was the first Suzuki's car designed on lightweight HEARTECT platform. It is also the first Alto that using torsion beam model rear suspension, replacing the old 3-link model (except for all-wheel-drive models). The new lightweight platform, lighter body, engine, seats and simpler rear suspension made the car 60 kg (132 lb) lighter than the outgoing model. This car was also designed to have a very low fuel consumption, achieved using "Suzuki Green Technology" for the body and the engine, and resulted in the car having a claimed fuel consumption of 37 km/L (100 mpg‑imp; 87 mpg‑US).

The conventional models of the new Alto is available in 5 trim levels. The passenger variant are called "F", "L", "S" and "X", plus a commercial van variant called "VP". All powered with a naturally-aspirated K06A 658 cc (40.2 cu in) inline-three engine, from previous generation. This engine received major improvement in fuel efficiency by raising the compression ratio and adopting the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system (excludes "F" trim with manual transmission and "VP" van), while enhancing the low-to-mid speed driving performance by newly designing the intake and exhaust systems. The weight also reduced by adopting a cylinder head integrated with an exhaust manifold and simplifying the catalyzer case. It is mated with either a 5-speed manual transmission ("F" and "VP"), a 5-speed automated manual transmission called Auto Gear Shift (AGS) by Suzuki ("F" and "VP"), or a CVT ("L", "S" and "X"). All transmissions are available with all wheel-drive option. The K06A engine with manual transmission for "F" and "VP" trims are rated at 49 PS (36.0 kW; 48.3 hp) and 58 N⋅m (42.8 lb⋅ft; 5.9 kg⋅m), while the rest of the range producing 3 PS (2.2 kW; 3.0 hp) and 4 N⋅m (3.0 lb⋅ft; 0.4 kg⋅m) higher because the engine has VVT.

A sporty variant intended for daily use called "Turbo RS" was introduced in March 2015 which was followed by a more spartan performance-tuned "Works" variant which made a comeback after 15 years of absence in December. These high performance models are powered with the turbocharged variant of K06A engine, producing 64 PS (47.1 kW; 63.1 hp) and 98 N⋅m (72.3 lb⋅ft; 10.0 kg⋅m) - ("Works" is 2 N⋅m (1.5 lb⋅ft; 0.2 kg⋅m) higher). It is paired with either a 5-speed manual (not available for "Turbo RS") or automated manual transmission with taller gear ratios than the less powerful "F" and VP" trims. The handling is also reworked with new wider high performance tires from Bridgestone, shock absorber from KYB, ventilated front disc brakes, strut bar to increase body's rigidity, rear stabilizer bar for front wheel-drive models (also available for "X" trim).

For the interior, unlike the previous generation, adjustable front seats head rest and 50:50 foldable back seats (still with adjustable head rest, excluding "VP", "F" and "L" trims) are deleted. All natural aspirated engined models received two tone black and white colours. In 2018, the seat upholstery was replaced with dark blue colour for "L", "S" and "X" trims. "Turbo RS" and "Works" trims has black with red accents interior colour, leather wrapped steering wheel, paddle shift for AGS models and tachometer. The "Works" trim added racing front seats from Recaro, stainless steel pedals and turbo boost meter.

In term of exterior, all naturally aspirated models are using halogen headlights as standard and 13 inches steel wheels with hubcaps (except "VP") and "X" with special two tone colours. The "Turbo RS" and "Works" received more sporty bumpers, side skirts, rear upper spoiler, fog lights, stickers, 15 inches aluminium wheels from Enkei (also available for "X" trim), front brake calipers with red colour for "Works" and HID headlights.

The safety is also upgraded with additional electronic stability control and collision avoidance system. The car achieved 4 of 5 stars in crash tests performed by JNCAP.

To celebrate 40 years anniversary of Alto, a special edition called "L Limited" was launched in June 2019. The car is based on "L" trim with additional accessories and features from higher trims.

The "Turbo RS" trim was discontinued in December 2018, followed by "X" trim in October 2020, "VP" commercial van in August 2021 and finally replaced by ninth generation four months later.

Pakistan

The eighth-generation Alto was revealed for the Pakistani market on 12 April 2019 at the Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS). The car is sold in three variants: "VX", "VXR" and "VXL". The "VX" being the base model with minimal equipment, no air conditioning and a 5-speed manual transmission; the "VXR" variant gaining twin airbags, power locks, power steering, etc.; while the premium "VXL" model is further equipped with air conditioning, ABS brakes, and an automated manual transmission "AGS".

The local manufacturing of Alto has made Pakistan one of the few countries in the world that locally manufactures kei cars. Currently, Pakistan is the only country other than Japan to locally manufacture this generation of Suzuki Alto. Pak Suzuki Motors' second generation Alto looks cosmetically the same as the Japanese-made one and is powered by the same engine.[61] It is rated at 39.5 PS (29.1 kW; 39.0 hp) and 56 N⋅m (41.3 lb⋅ft; 5.7 kg⋅m), lower than Japanese model because the lower compression ratio (10 vs 11.5), lack of VVT and several other differences.

Seventh generation (2009)

The seventh-generation Alto was first shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show alongside its sister car, the Mazda Carol. It is available with a 660 cubic centimetres (40 cu in) engine, a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic transmission or a CVT, in FWD or 4WD variants. Under the Japanese 10-15 test cycle, the front-wheel-drive with CVT achieves 24.5 km/litre fuel economy.

In 2011, Suzuki launched the Alto Eco variant, that features the R06A engine lifted from the Suzuki MR Wagon and an idling stop function. It is capable of reaching 30.2 km/L (85 mpg‑imp; 71 mpg‑US) based on Japan's JC08 Mode test cycle (32 km/L under 10-15 test cycle). This is .2 km/L higher than the Daihatsu Mira e:S.

In 2013, the Alto Eco was updated with the addition of Suzuki's ENE-CHARGE system, first applied on the fifth generation Wagon R. With this technology, fuel economy has now improved to 33.0 km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode test cycle.

International

The Suzuki Alto available in international market is known in India as the Maruti Suzuki A-Star (short for "Alto-Star"), but is also known as the Suzuki Celerio in some other countries. It was launched in December 2008 by Suzuki's Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki.

It is actually a different car from the Japanese market one although they share the same name. The car is manufactured exclusively in Haryana, India and is exported worldwide. It is available in some European markets with a somewhat different front end as the Nissan Pixo. The car was rolled out to the Indian customers in December 2008 and exports began in April 2009.

With a totally new body and engine, Maruti hopes to bring freshness to the Indian car market, of which it already holds a major share. The 998 cc (60.9 cu in) K10B inline-three engine was developed especially for the new car, and is also used for the Nissan Pixo. The A-Star has a fresh new dashboard, with an available unique protruding tachometer besides the usual meter cowl (only in the ZXi trim).

In February 2014, Maruti Suzuki unveiled an all-new Celerio, which replaces the A-Star and Zen Estilo.

The European market version of the Maruti Suzuki A-Star was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It was developed to be a global car and will be made at Maruti Suzuki's plant in Manesar, Haryana, India. It is stylistically based on the Suzuki A-Star Concept.[47] The Alto was conceived as a response to high petrol prices and global warming. It was released as an eco-friendly car priced from £6,795 OTR.

Nissan Pixo

The Nissan Pixo is the "sister car" to the Suzuki Alto and is mechanically very similar, but featuring a few notable exterior differences, including the main grille and headlamps. It was launched at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and was available in Europe from 2009 to 2013. Because it was developed and built cheaply in India, the Pixo was sold for just under £7,000. In the summer of 2013, the Pixo was withdrawn from UK showrooms.

The Nissan Pixo was reviewed, and subsequently mocked, by Top Gear in series 17. The review became a Top Gear challenge where Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond bought cars on the second hand market for the same price as a new Pixo. Clarkson bought a 2002 Mercedes Mercedes CL600 for £6995, and Hammond bought a 1994 BMW 850ci for £6,700. James May defended the Pixo, arguing that it was more modern, reliable and economical than the two luxury cars.

Worldwide

Other than Japan for their domestic market, the Alto is sold in Europe, India and Australia.

Design quirks and oddities

When to Alto is about to enter the Australian market, Suzuki Australia had to think up of a marketing strategy to promote the car's fuel efficiency.

Awards

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External Links

• 2009 Suzuki Alto to Make Paris Show Debut – First Official Image
• Suzuki Alto Debuts In Paris
• Maruti Suzuki Alto Details
• Maruti a-star sales chart