While most people feel Maruti is not a premium brand and feel foreign brands give them an elevated status, most people don't realise that Maruti Suzuki is probably one of the only brands which gives its customers the best value for money.
In light of competition and staying contemporary in terms of design, Maruti did away with the age old 800 and brought in two new offerings on the Alto platform -- the Alto K10 and the Alto 800. The Alto 800 lies in the entry level hatchback segment and is facing stiff competition from the likes of the Renault Kwid. The soon to come Datsun Redi-GO is also expected to give the Alto 800 a tough competition.
Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new 2016 facelift version of the Alto 800 and we at Motown India were one of the first to take it for a spin. The new Alto 800 comes with a redesigned facade, the car gets a split front grill like before with the lower section being broader than before and the top slit being made slimmer and sleeker. The headlamp design has also been updated and the car also has redesigned bumpers. Other subtle changes on the car is that it is now 35mm longer than the previous version, while the wheelbase and ground clearance remains the same and the width has been reduced by 25mm. On the inside customers get integrated headrests in the rear seats and fabric inserts in the door trims. The side and rear profiles of the car however remain almost untouched.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
796cc, Petrol
Transmission
5-Speed Manual
Power
47.3bhp@6000rpm
Torque
69Nm@3500rpm
Turning Radius
4.6 meters
Suspension
Front: McPherson Strut
Rear: 3 Link Rigid
Brakes
Front: Disc
Rear: Drum
Tyres
145/80 R12
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 Litres
Top Speed/ 0-100kmph
140kmph/ 19 seconds
Price
Rs. 2.5 lakh (ex showroom Delhi)
The Alto 800 is powered by a 796cc, 3-pot, petrol mill which puts out 47.3bhp at 6000rpm and 69Nm of torque at 3500rpm. The engine output figures are not too impressive but the fuel efficiency figures are mind boggling. The petrol variant of the car returns 24.7kms to the litre and the CNG variant of the car returns 34.4kms to a kilogram of gas. However the addition of a CNG tank does compromise on boot space which is also the least in the segment standing at just 117 litres, while the incoming RediGO has a 220 litre boot and the Kwid has a 300 litre one. But if you want a vehicle which covers more ground on less fuel then this is the best bet in the segment.
In terms of build quality the company has made it a constant endeavor to improve standards efficiently. The new Alto 800 rides on a McPherson Strut suspension in the front and a 3 Link Rigid type suspension in the rear. The suspension tuning is ideal for Indian roads, it handles bumps quite well and the smaller potholes aren't really a bother however the deeper ones can cause a bit of trouble. The tyres are a 145/80 R12 which grip the road quite well and provide a smooth ride. We carried out a few panic braking exercises and the disc and drum set up fared quite well. The car came to a halt from 80kmph within a matter of seconds.
On the inside the cabin is quite contemporary but is minimalistic with only a few features to entertain the driver. The Alto 800 comes with a 12 volt power socket placed near the steering wheel for easy access, an audio system with inputs for AUX and USB , front speakers, power windows, power steering and manually adjustable ORVMs. It essentially carries enough kit required by a person to move about with ease. Speaking of ease in commuting this vehicle has a low turning radius of 4.6 meters making it exceptionally maneuverable in city traffic. The seats are also quite comfortable in the car and provide ample support to the occupants. Seating five people in this vehicle may be a squeeze but four adults can fit in with ease. Maruti has also dropped the price of the Alto 800 by Rs. 10,000 just lending it a more competitive stand against competitors. If a bargain is what you love and want value for every paisa you spend then Rs. 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom) for this vehicle is one of the best deals you will get.
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