Compare Maruti Alto and Chevrolet Spark

Maruti Suzuki motors India has managed to be the producer of the largest selling cars in India, be it Maruti 800, Maruti Wagon R or the current ruler Maruti Suzuki Alto. Alto has been the single top seller since that past 6 years ever since it overtook the sales chart of Maruti 800 in 2004. The company notched around 2.5 Lacs Altos last year and the first quarter of 2010 saw an unprecedented 70,000 sales mark drawn alone by Maruti Alto. With Alto doing extremely well and liked by Indians across all segments, the company is taking intelligent moves by not relying completely on its laurels and neither replacing it with a new model.

Maruti Suzuki India has decided to roll out a fresh version of Maruti Alto that would be powered by the company's most successful K10 series engine. After 10 years of successful performance being delivered by Alto, the company is looking forward to bringing a fresh ray of life to the A1 hatchback segment. The same engine currently powers Maruti A-star, Wagon R and Estilo delivering 68PS of maximum power at 6200 Rpm and 90Nm of maximum torque at 3500 Rpm. The all new Alto would be 50 kgs heavier and would reach a maximum of 100kmph in 13.3 seconds as opposed to 17.3 seconds by the 800cc Alto.

Alto K10 would cost 30,000 dearer as compared to its 800cc sibling. Talking about the mechanical aspects there won't be major changes except the re-tuned suspension, new cable type transmission for smoother gear shifts and booster assisted braking system. This new kid would sport some interesting features like dynamic hood, eagle eyed clear lens headlamps, fog lamps and body coloured bumpers. Taking a view at the sides the looks remain largely the same except the 13 inch wheels with wheel covers and body side mouldings. There would certainly be improvements on the rear end that gets a new designed back door and fresh tail lamps. The moment one would get inside the car, the two tone treatment with 3-spoke steering wheel would certainly catch one's glimpse. The instrument panel with amber illuminated speedometer, tachometer and an electronic trip-meter has been intelligently refreshed. The new Alto would offer front and rear passengers integrated headrests.

Some of the features that needs to be mentioned at this juncture are power steering, internally adjustable ORVM, key reminder, remote boot opener, central locking, power windows, rear parcel tray, accessory socket, remote fuel lid opener and electronic trip meter. The car would be launched in two variants Alto K10 LXi and Alto K10 VXi, available in six colours – Ecru Beige, Midnight Black, Fire Brick Red, Sunlight Copper, Silky Silver and Superior White.

General Motors launched the Chevrolet Spark in year 2007 when the world of hatchbacks was largely dominated by Maruti Alto, Wagon R and Zen. India has always had a great appetite for compact small cars and the move certainly was very intelligent by the company. The car is powered by a 995cc engine that delivers power of 48.5KW and a maximum torque of 87.3Nm. The car is available in 5 variants, all of which comes in the price range of 3.19 to 4.24 Lacs. In a short span of three years the car has been able to carve a niche for itself in the hatchback market and is running successfully on the Indian roads.

Where Maruti is known for its simple looking value for money vehicles, Chevrolet has provided luxury encapsulated in a small affordable package for an average Indian family. In the price range of 3 to 4 lacs, the car manages to provide a foray a safety features that includes Dual Airbags, ABS (Antilock Brake System), Ventilated Disc Brakes.

Although both the cars have managed to carve a niche for themselves in the compact hatchback segment, there is certainly a connect that Maruti has enjoyed with the customers of A1 segment and the launch of Alto with K10 engine is a testimony of the fact.