Maruti Suzuki Alto-K10

For a few years now, the Maruti Suzuki Alto has been the best selling car in India. Now there is a new addition to the range, the Alto-K10.

It gets its name from its 998 cc K-series engine, a three cylinder unit that produces 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) and 90 Nm of torque. That’s a big increase over the 46 bhp (35 kW / 47 PS) of the existing 796 cc Alto models, which incidentally remain on sale.

With the extra horsepower, performance is fairly brisk. Acceleration from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 13.3 seconds, a vast improvement on the unhurried 17.7 seconds the 796 cc Alto manages. Despite the enhanced performance, fuel consumption is actually slightly better too. The Alto-K10 achieves 57 mpg (5.0 l/100km / 20.2 km/l), which Maruti Suzuki claims is best in class.

Other technical changes include an improved suspension, which retains 160 mm of ground clearance, and an upgraded braking system. There’s also a new cable type transmission that’s supposed to make changing gears easier.

Visually, the biggest difference between the Alto-K10 and other Alto models is the nose. It has been extended by 125 mm to accommodate the larger engine, and has more aggressive styling which incorporates as standard front fog lights. Around the back, the tailgate and rear lights have also been redesigned. Buyers get a choice of six colours, namely Sunlight Copper, Midnight Black, Fire Brick Red, Superior White, Ecru Beige or Silky Silver.

On the inside, the obvious changes are the two-tone upholstery and revised instruments. But there is also more knee room for rear seat passengers, plus features such as electric front windows and remote opening for the fuel filler cap and tailgate.

The introductory price (in Delhi) for the Alto-K10 is Rs. 3.16 lakh for the VXi version, while the LXi is Rs. 3.03 lakh. That’s around a 9 percent premium over the 796 cc LXi, which costs Rs. 2.77 lakh.