New Maruti Alto K10 review, test drive

New Alto K10 is brand new inside-out, is more fuel efficient and gets an optional automatic gearbox as well.

Published on Oct 22, 2014 07:10:00 PM

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New Maruti Alto K10 also comes with an automatic gearbox.

1.0-litre 67bhp motor packs enough thrills to keep most happy. Less thirsty too.

All-new dual-tone dash, piano-black-finished audio system and light fabrics in the K10’s cabin don’t scream ‘budget’ anymore.

Make : Maruti Suzuki

Model : Alto K10

This is the new Alto K10, and it’s newness springs form a couple of important points. First, quite obviously, the K10 engine now sits in the thoroughly revised Alto platform, identical to the Alto 800. Sure, while it may not match the Alto 800 in sales, the Alto K10 promises to be more exciting without really pinching the car buyer on a tight budget.

The second big update for the K10 is that it will be offered with an optional automatic gearbox (yes, an AMT) making it the world’s cheapest automatic at Rs 3.80 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The automatic K10 is available in just the VXi trim while the manual version features four trims starting at Rs 3.06 lakh for the base ‘LX’ variant and Rs 3.57 lakh for the top VXi(O) -- the only variant with a driver airbag. For those looking for low running costs, there’s a CNG version priced at Rs 3.82 lakh.

What sets the K10 apart from the Alto 800 is that it gets the significantly powerful 1.0-litre, 67bhp K10 engine. And since its body tips the scales at under 750kg, the Alto K10 boasts of a power-to-weight ratio that’s almost identical to the Swift’s. So, as you can imagine, it’s quite an entertaining little car to drive.Apart from the drivetrain, the K10 gets brand new interiors and altered exterior styling as well.