New Maruti Alto to launch in India

More news is coming in from the Indian hatchback segment and this time it has wafted in from the Maruti’s stable. Maruti is planning to give one of its highest selling models – Maruti Alto – a face lift and a heart transplant. The Maruti Alto is one of the best selling car models in India and sells about 20,000 units per month, a figure coveted by many car makers. The car has managed to sell about 13.5 lakh units since its launch in September 2000.

Industry sources reveal that the new Alto might have a one-litre K-series petrol engine. R C Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki India Chairman told a news agency, “Alto needs a face-lift. It has been there for quite a while.”

But nothing official has yet been announced regarding the new Maruti Alto’s engine, design or the date of launch. Right now the BS IV compliant Maruti Alto is run on a 800cc F-Series engine. But sources claim that the company is thinking about planting a 1000cc K-series engine in the new Maruti Alto. This is expected to raise the cost of Maruti Alto, which is priced between Rs 2.29 lakh and Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Other Maruti models that have the company’s latest K-series engine include Maruti Swift, Maruti Dzire, Maruti Wagon R, Maruti Ritz etc. This all new K-series engines come is two variants – 998cc three-cylinder, 'K10B' that powers A-star, Estilo, and the new Wagon R and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder 'K12M' petrol engine fitted in Ritz, Swift and Swift Dzire.