Maruti Alto K10 by mid-August

Maruti has the biggest market share in the booming Indian car market but the carmaker is facing more and more competition day by day. At present Maruti’s market share comes to about 50 per cent followed closely by Tata Motors and Hyundai Motors. In a bid to keep the market share intact, Maruti Suzuki India is soon going to bring out its bestselling entry level hatchback Maruti Alto with a K-10 engine. The move was being speculated for a long time and finally it is coming into play this August. The New Maruti Alto is likely to have Maruti’s much talked about K-series engine that would be capable of displacing 1000cc as against the current 800cc. The K-series Alto K10 is likely to produces 68PS of maximum power at 6200rpm and 90Nm of maximum torque at 3500rpm. Other Maruti cars with a 1000cc engine include Maruti A-Star, Maruti Wagon R and Maruti Estillo. The new Maruti Alto is likely to fall under the price range of Rs 2.8 – 3 lakh.

The more powerful Maruti Alto is likely to fill the gap between the existing Alto and the Zen Estilo. Reports in the media claim that the Alto K10 is going to come with a bundle of new and attractive features including 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. It would also come in a new pallet of colours like ecru beige, midnight black, fire brick red, blue blaze, silky silver and superior white. As per the speculations in the market, the new Alto will get two-tone interiors, a three-spoke (same as A-star), integrated headrests for front and rear passengers, refreshed instrument panel with amber illuminated speedometer, tachometer and an electronic trip-meter.

An anonymous company official was quoted on a car portal, saying, “Yes, we are all set to launch it by the middle of next month. However, the recently introduced BS-IV version of Alto would co-exist with the upcoming model. All other details would be shared when the model is launched. Both the cars would be sold as the current one caters to a different segment and the 1.0 Litre Alto is earmarked for a slightly higher segment. Ergo, the higher spec Alto will be slightly pricier.”

Some other reports claim that despite more power and enhanced features Maruti Alto K10 would offer 20.3Kmpl mileage under standard conditions.