Maruti has launched its new Alto 800 hatchback in the entry-level segment, where it will compete with the Hyundai Eon. Priced at Rs 2.44 lakh for the base model, the new Alto 800 will be sold alongside Maruti 800 (BS-III only) and the Alto K10.
The new Alto 800 is based on the existing Alto platform and is powered by the same 796cc three-cylinder motor (F8D) from the outgoing Alto. However, the motor has been modified to meet the latest emission norms. Plenty of suspension bits have been carried over as well, but the structure has been heavily modified to make it stiffer.
The new Alto 800 sports an attractive two-part grille, high-mounted petal-shaped headlights, a sporty chin spoiler, mildly flared wheel arches, crystal-like tail-lamps and some sculpting on the hatch that adds a spicy touch. The cabin of the Alto 800 is all-new and it now has a more contemporary-looking dash with improved plastic quality and several touches of silver. There are six paint shades and three trim-levels on offer.
The base trim gets standard features like grey interiors, vinyl seats, dual trip-meter and tubeless tyres, while the LX trim gets all these as well as fabric seats, air-conditioning and a remote fuel-lid opener. The top-end Alto 800 LXi comes with body-coloured bumpers and door handles, chrome-trim on front grille, full wheel-caps, grey or brown interior shade, silver-trim on inside door handles and speedometer, metallic finish on the steering wheel, remote opening for the hatch and internally adjustable ORVMs. This is the only variant that comes with an optional driver airbag; the lower variants will not have power windows or steering either.
With an ARAI figure of 22.74kpl for the petrol version, Maruti claims the new Alto 800 will be 15 percent more fuel-efficient than the existing car. The new Alto also has CNG variants priced from Rs 3.19 lakh through to Rs 3.56 lakh for the LXi model. The CNG variant has a claimed efficiency figure of 30.46km/kg. Maruti says it sells 4,000 CNG-powered cars every month and expects to achieve new growth with the CNG Alto.
The company says it spent Rs 470 crore on developing the car and saw 200 engineers work for four years on the project.
Maruti has confirmed that it will kick off exports of the new Alto 800 from January 2013. The countries targeted are Chile as well as other South American geographies besides Africa and neighbouring Asian countries. So far, Alto exports constitute 10 percent, or 200,000 units, of Maruti’s total sales of over 2 million units in the past eight years. According to Maruti officials, the new Alto 800 is likely to notch the same number of exports.
Maruti has sold over 189,000 Altos in April-August 2012, with August sales barely over 10,000 units owing to the one-month lockout at the Manesar facility. On average, the company’s current sales are down from nearly 25,000 in the previous 12-month period. With the new Alto 800, Maruti hopes to counter the declining sales of the Alto brand and maintain a healthy lead in the sales chart.
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(All prices ex-showroom, Delhi)
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