Suzuki Alto
Encyclopedia
The Suzuki Alto is a small car (kei car
) designed by Suzuki
. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy
. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.
passenger car, equipped with a folding rear seat. On introduction, the Alto received the T5B two-stroke 539 cc (SS30) three-cylinder engine, producing 28 PS at 5,500 rpm. The Alto was a "micro sensation" when introduced, largely due to its rock bottom price of ¥470,000 (circa $1,900 in 1979, at a time when the cheapest Ford Pinto
cost $4,999). This bargain price was made possible by a number of Japanese special concessions for commercial vehicles: The engine did not require twin catalysts, unlike in the Fronte. Two less doors provided another saving, as did the exemption from commodity tax. The Alto was a sensation, and other producers such as Subaru (with the "Family Rex") quickly followed suit.
In January 1981, the F5A four-stroke 543 cc known from the Fronte was also installed (though with only a single-barrel carburettor), it too put out 28 PS but at 6,000 rpm. Torque was considerably lower, down from 5.3 kgm to 4.2 kgm. 1981 saw also the year that it became available on the United Kingdom market, as Suzuki began selling cars there that year.
In export markets, the Alto name was used for the passenger car versions (chassis codes with trailing letter "S") as well as on commercials (ending in"V"), while the van was marketed as the "Suzuki Hatch" in Australia. The four-doors were not proper hatchbacks, only featuring an opening rear window. Export cars were also available with twelve-inch wheels, unlike the domestic versions which only used ten-inch units until the introduction of the 4WD version in October 1983. The 4WD "Snow Liner" thus gained an extra 2.5 cm (0.984251968503937 in) of ground clearance.
While Suzuki held on to the two-stroke engine concept for a half decade longer than any of its Japanese competitors, eventually market pressures and ever tightening emissions regulations spelled its end in the Alto by September 1981. The Jimny
, however, did use the same 539 cc engine (called LJ50 in the Jimny) as late as 1987.
s of it still made by Fujimi
. A 5-door body (identical to the Fronte's) became available in October 1985.
In July 1986 the CA/CC71 became the CA/CC72 after a rather thorough facelift. New wraparound headlights, a new dash and interior heralded the new ITL rear suspension (Isolated Trailing Link), a three-link rigid
setup. A "Walkthrough Van"
was introduced in January 1987, while at the other end of the spectrum, the personal coupé Cervo on the CA/CC72 base was introduced in 1988 with a new 547 cc F5B engine. In August 1987, higher spec Altos became available with a 3-speed automatic rather than the 2-speed they had been using before.
, as this was the name used for passenger versions in Japan. They received larger bumpers, making them 105 mm (4.1 in) longer and 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in) wider. European Altos received the same facelift as the CA/CB72 did in January 1988, unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show. This model remained in production (latterly by Maruti Udyog) for the European market until 1993, when it was replaced by an also Maruti-built 1-litre version of the Cervo Mode.
version utilizes a 796 cc MPFI F8B engine, the Pakistani Suzuki Mehran still uses the 1980s era carburated version.
. The Chang'an Suzuki
SC7080 Alto was produced with the same F8B engine as used in other export markets, and was replaced by the facelifted SC7081 Alto/City Baby/Little Prince/Happy Prince in 2001. The top of the Line Happy Prince, discontinued in 2007, used the sportier looking front bumper, grille, and bonnet of the Alto Works. Another version called JN Auto(German) is built by Jiangnan since 1992 and is still in production for the Chinese, Central and South American markets, although now it is called the 'Zotye JN Auto'. As of Dec, 2010 Zotye's Jiangnan Alto is the cheapest car in the world, with a tag price of $2,830. The entry-level model comes with the 796 cc F8B three-cylinder 26.5 kW. A four-cylinder with a displacement of 1,051 cc and an output of 38.5 kW is also available. A version of the Jiangnan Alto was assembled until 2005 in Tunisia for African markets, labelled "Peugeot JN Mini".
standards were changed in 1990, capacity was increased to 657 cc (F6A) in March, the Alto becoming the CL/CM/CN/CP21 in the process. The new standards also allowed for a 100 mm (3.9 in) longer car, which meant new bigger front and rear bumper, and new headlights and grille. Lower grade Van versions received a 6-valve 36 hp engine, while passenger car versions (and the l'Èpo Van) got a 12-valve, 52 hp version. 4WD versions with the 3-speed automatic transmission were fuel-injected and offered 3 more hp. The F6A-engined Works RS/X and RS/R still claimed the legally limited 64 hp, but the lower grade i.e. Turbo (introduced in July) received a 6-valve SOHC-engine producing 61 hp. Reflecting decreased tax benefits for commercial Kei cars, the Works series was now classified as passenger vehicles, allowing for a real backseat.
In September 1991, responding to increasing safety demands, the Alto received side impact protection. Also, the vertical door handles (see picture on the right) on three-door versions were replaced by traditional horizontal ones. The reengineering was extensive enough to necessitate new model codes, with vans becoming CL/CM22 (FF/4WD) and passenger versions (including the Works) now called CR/CS22. While performance engines remained as they were, the "cooking" Alto's engines were updated with power outputs up to 40 and 52 hp respectively (29/38 kW).
Table data is from Goo-net, unless otherwise specified. ( · )=AT version, [ · ]=MT 4WD, { · }=AT 4WD
and rear doors are still fairly angular, but the front is beginning to be more rounded - a trend which would be continued in later years.
. The 658 cc K6A engine was now also available without a turbocharger, joining the turbocharged version and the familiar 657 cc F6A engines. The turbocharged Works models were available with a 60 hp F6A engine (i.e., 5MT/3AT and FF or 4WD) or a 64 hp VVT
K6A (RS/Z, 5MT and FF or 4WD). The front wheel drive RS/Z was sold with a non-VVT K6A engine when in combination with a 4-speed automatic transmission, it too with a claimed 64 hp. In December 2000, the Works versions were discontinued, as the Alto was realigned as an economy version. The Suzuki Kei
Sports picked up the Works' mantle.
Several derivatives were produced from this generation. Suzuki produced two "classic-style" versions: the Alto C with a deep chrome grille and a curious headlamp arrangement by which circular main lamps were joined with ovoid sidelights and indicators, which was shared with the Alto Works; and the Alto C2 which had separate headlamps and sidelights and a wider grille. Mazda
also sold the standard Alto as the Carol
, and Mitsuoka
used the Carol as a basis for their Ray. Pakistani production began in 2000, utilizing the F10A engine.
), in either a 3- or 5-door hatchback body. A 3-door van version remained available.
to Europe from India since around 1994 having captured over 40% market share in Belgium and 33% in Netherlands by 1998. It is the best-selling hatchback
in India. Since 2006, It is India's largest selling car and crossed the 1 million production figure in February 2008 becoming the 3rd Maruti model to cross the million mark in India after Maruti 800
and Maruti Omni and 4th overall joining Hyundai Santro. Besides being exported to Europe from 1994–2004, it has also been exported to several other countries.
800 cc Alto:
The Alto is offered in the following variants:
The Alto was seen as a natural successor to the time-tested and equally popular Maruti 800 (MB 308). It contained all the plus points that the 800 offered Indian car-buyers, in addition to features such as power-steering, power-assisted braking and a 5th gear that the 800 did not normally have. The popularity of the Alto has steadily increased over the past few years, mainly due to the aggressive pricing. This reduction in prices has mainly come in due to the reduction in excise duty over time. Alto became the first car in India to sell over 200,000 units in a single financial year, the last 100,000 units being sold in 5 months. Alto was also the only car to sell over 22,000 units in a single month. Maruti's vast network of dealerships and Maruti Authorized Service Centers (MASS) have also contributed towards this massive popularity in the Indian entry-level automobile market.
Maruti Alto with K Series Engine
Maruti Suzuki has launched a new version of Maruti Alto in the Indian auto market in August 2010. The new Maruti Alto K10 is equipped with the company's 1.0 L, K-series petrol engine which also currently powers the A-Star and Wagon R. The K10B engine delivers 68 PS of maximum power at 6,200 rpm with 90 Nm of maximum torque at 3,200 rpm. 0–100 km/h is possible in 13.33 seconds. The company's senior official said that they have no plans to discontinue the previous version with the launch of Maruti Alto.
Vi or the Citroën C2
. The Alto was re-aligned as a less costly car to accommodate new models such as the Cervo
and Alto Lapin
. The more powerful engines were moved into the other more upmarket versions like the Suzuki Kei
Works and Alto Lapin SS
, leaving the Alto with only a 54 PS version. In Japan, this version of the Alto was rebadged as the Nissan Pino
and Mazda Carol.
alongside its sister car, the Mazda Carol
.
, India and is exported worldwide. It is available in European markets with a somewhat different front end as the Nissan Pixo. The car was rolled out to the Indian customers in December 2008 and exports began in April 2009. The Indian market version comes in three variants - LXi, VXi and ZXi.
The initial expected prices in the Indian market are (ex-showroom Delhi) for the LXI, for the VXI and for the ZXI. With this price tag, the car is targeted at customers with budgets somewhere between the Zen Estilo
and the Swift
.
With a totally new body and engine, Maruti hopes to bring freshness to the Indian car market, of which it already holds a major share. The 998 cc three cylinder K10B was developed especially for the new car, and is also used for the Nissan Pixo. Initial reviews have been positive. The A-Star has a fresh new dashboard, with an available unique protruding tachometer besides the usual meter cowl (only in the ZXi trim). Along with the Swift, SX4 and Grand Vitara, the A-Star is part of an effort to change Suzuki/Maruti's reputation into that of being a producer of stylish cars.
The main competitors are the Toyota Aygo
, Kia Picanto
and Renault Twingo
, all also small hatchbacks but all offering more luggage space than the Pixo.
Trim Variants/Engines
The UK has 4 different trims available for the Pixo:
N-Tec, Visia, Acenta and Tekna, all available with a 1.0 L Suzuki K10B three-cylinder petrol engine - shared with the Alto and capable of 68 hp and a top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph), reaching 100 km/h in 13.5 seconds.
All are five door hatchbacks, with the option of a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox, except the Visia, which is only available with the manual gearbox.
Early exports were usually Frontes, as the Alto nameplate was only used on commercial versions in Japan, exported with few changes apart from enlarged engines, sometimes modified bodywork and various different names. Thus the SS40 Fronte became the SS80 Alto with a 796 cc engine. However, as Suzuki made agreements with companies such as Maruti to build their models, it began to be possible to sell different models to different areas:
Thus the European Suzuki Altos are really:
The Suzuki Alto European market version of the Maruti Suzuki A-Star was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show
. It was developed to be a global car and will be made at Maruti Suzuki's plant in Manesar
, Haryana
, India. It is stylistically based on the Suzuki A-Star Concept. The Alto was conceived as a response to high petrol prices and global warming. The vehicle's emissions will be only 103g of CO2/km. It will be an eco-friendly car priced from £6,795 OTR. The Maruti Suzuki A-Star is also produced for Nissan, its version is called Nissan Pixo.
The GoGet
car share scheme provides 2009 model Suzuki Altos as part of its fleet of share cars in Australia.
The locally-made versions of the various Altos have had long production lives, and have sometimes won great popularity, as with the Maruti 800
. In particular the CA71 generation has been produced in many countries, and can frequently be seen being offered as a cheap city car among several more newly-designed products.
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
) designed by Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
. Its selling points include low price and good fuel economy
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
. The model was introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide.
1st generation (SS30/40)
The 1st generation (SS30V/40V), introduced in May 1979, was a 3-door cargo version of the FronteSuzuki Fronte
The Fronte automobile was first introduced in March 1962 as a sedan version of the Suzulight Van. The nameplate remained in use for Suzuki's Kei car sedans until replaced by the Alto name in September 1988....
passenger car, equipped with a folding rear seat. On introduction, the Alto received the T5B two-stroke 539 cc (SS30) three-cylinder engine, producing 28 PS at 5,500 rpm. The Alto was a "micro sensation" when introduced, largely due to its rock bottom price of ¥470,000 (circa $1,900 in 1979, at a time when the cheapest Ford Pinto
Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto is a subcompact car produced by the Ford Motor Company for the model years 1971–1980. The car's name derives from the Pinto horse. Initially offered as a two-door sedan, Ford offered "Runabout" hatchback and wagon models the following year, competing in the U.S. market with the AMC...
cost $4,999). This bargain price was made possible by a number of Japanese special concessions for commercial vehicles: The engine did not require twin catalysts, unlike in the Fronte. Two less doors provided another saving, as did the exemption from commodity tax. The Alto was a sensation, and other producers such as Subaru (with the "Family Rex") quickly followed suit.
In January 1981, the F5A four-stroke 543 cc known from the Fronte was also installed (though with only a single-barrel carburettor), it too put out 28 PS but at 6,000 rpm. Torque was considerably lower, down from 5.3 kgm to 4.2 kgm. 1981 saw also the year that it became available on the United Kingdom market, as Suzuki began selling cars there that year.
In export markets, the Alto name was used for the passenger car versions (chassis codes with trailing letter "S") as well as on commercials (ending in"V"), while the van was marketed as the "Suzuki Hatch" in Australia. The four-doors were not proper hatchbacks, only featuring an opening rear window. Export cars were also available with twelve-inch wheels, unlike the domestic versions which only used ten-inch units until the introduction of the 4WD version in October 1983. The 4WD "Snow Liner" thus gained an extra 2.5 cm (0.984251968503937 in) of ground clearance.
While Suzuki held on to the two-stroke engine concept for a half decade longer than any of its Japanese competitors, eventually market pressures and ever tightening emissions regulations spelled its end in the Alto by September 1981. The Jimny
Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny is a line of SUVs from Suzuki. The line started in 1968 and is still running.-History:The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar...
, however, did use the same 539 cc engine (called LJ50 in the Jimny) as late as 1987.
2nd generation (CA71)
The 2nd generation (CA71) was introduced in September 1984. It continued with the SS40's F5A engine, but also became available with turbocharged and multi-valve engines thereof, mainly in the "Works" series. In December 1984 a 4-wheel drive version (CC71) was added. Performance versions of the Alto first appear in 1985 when a turbocharged engine was made available. It gradually acquired more performance-related modifications until the Works version was introduced in February 1987. The Alto Works was the first kei-car to reach the legal limit of 64 PS. It acquired considerable popularity, with modelScale model
A scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...
s of it still made by Fujimi
Fujimi
In Japan, is a common place name which means Mt. Fuji is viewable. It may refer to:* Places in Japan:** Fujimi, Tokyo, a district in Chiyoda, Tokyo** Fujimi, Saitama, a city** Fujimi, Nagano, a town** Fujimi, Gunma, a village...
. A 5-door body (identical to the Fronte's) became available in October 1985.
In July 1986 the CA/CC71 became the CA/CC72 after a rather thorough facelift. New wraparound headlights, a new dash and interior heralded the new ITL rear suspension (Isolated Trailing Link), a three-link rigid
Trailing arm
thumb|220px|Trailing arm rear suspension of [[Front-engine, front-wheel drive layout|FF]] carsA trailing-arm suspension is an automobile suspension design in which one or more arms are connected between the axle and the chassis. It is usually used on rear axles...
setup. A "Walkthrough Van"
Multi-Stop truck
Multi-stop trucks are a type of light-duty and medium-duty truck created for local deliveries to residences and businesses. They are almost always forward-control vehicles, designed to be driven either sitting down or standing up, and often provide easy access between the driver and goods, hence...
was introduced in January 1987, while at the other end of the spectrum, the personal coupé Cervo on the CA/CC72 base was introduced in 1988 with a new 547 cc F5B engine. In August 1987, higher spec Altos became available with a 3-speed automatic rather than the 2-speed they had been using before.
Europe
The 796 cc, 40 hp F8B-engined CA/CB91 was sold in Europe with either a 4-speed manual or 2-speed automatic transmission. Export Altos were technically speaking FrontesSuzuki Fronte
The Fronte automobile was first introduced in March 1962 as a sedan version of the Suzulight Van. The nameplate remained in use for Suzuki's Kei car sedans until replaced by the Alto name in September 1988....
, as this was the name used for passenger versions in Japan. They received larger bumpers, making them 105 mm (4.1 in) longer and 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in) wider. European Altos received the same facelift as the CA/CB72 did in January 1988, unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show. This model remained in production (latterly by Maruti Udyog) for the European market until 1993, when it was replaced by an also Maruti-built 1-litre version of the Cervo Mode.
India and Pakistan
This generation of the Alto/Fronte still remains in production in India and Pakistan. While the Indian Maruti 800Maruti 800
Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is a rebadged version of an old model of the Suzuki Alto. Over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold since its launch in 1983...
version utilizes a 796 cc MPFI F8B engine, the Pakistani Suzuki Mehran still uses the 1980s era carburated version.
China
In 1988 production began in China, in cooperation with Chang'an MotorsChang'an Motors
Chang'an Automobile Co Ltd is an automobile manufacturer in Chongqing, China, and a state-owned enterprise with China Weaponry Equipment as parent....
. The Chang'an Suzuki
Chang'an Suzuki
Chang'an Suzuki is a joint venture between Chang'an Motors and Suzuki Motors in Chongqing, China. Chang'an began assembling inexpensive commercial trucks under license from Suzuki Motors in 1990. Shortly after, in 1992, the two companies formed Chang'an Suzuki to built licensed versions of the...
SC7080 Alto was produced with the same F8B engine as used in other export markets, and was replaced by the facelifted SC7081 Alto/City Baby/Little Prince/Happy Prince in 2001. The top of the Line Happy Prince, discontinued in 2007, used the sportier looking front bumper, grille, and bonnet of the Alto Works. Another version called JN Auto(German) is built by Jiangnan since 1992 and is still in production for the Chinese, Central and South American markets, although now it is called the 'Zotye JN Auto'. As of Dec, 2010 Zotye's Jiangnan Alto is the cheapest car in the world, with a tag price of $2,830. The entry-level model comes with the 796 cc F8B three-cylinder 26.5 kW. A four-cylinder with a displacement of 1,051 cc and an output of 38.5 kW is also available. A version of the Jiangnan Alto was assembled until 2005 in Tunisia for African markets, labelled "Peugeot JN Mini".
3rd generation (CL11)
The 3rd generation (CL/CM11) replaced the CA71 in September 1988. This was the last generation of Alto to have an associated Fronte model. It had strikingly angular styling, with an unusual glazed C-pillar on the 5-door. Another curiosity of this generation was the availability of a version with sliding doors, the "Slide Slim", intended to simplify entering and exiting in tight spaces. It also made egress easier for the old and the infirm. When the Fronte name was discontinued in October 1989, the passenger car versions (CN/CP11) became Altos. Initially the CL11 used the 12-valve 42 hp F5B engine known from the SS71 Cervo, but with an added 34 hp 6-valve version in lower-spec versions. A 46 hp DOHC version was also available in the Twin Cam Rl. Passenger car versions had the same engines, but all with 2 hp less due to more stringent emissions controls. The fuel-injected, 12-valve, turbocharged Works models came with an SOHC 58 hp engine (FF S/X or 4WD S/R) or a 64 hp DOHC version (FF RS/X or 4WD RS/R). The front-wheel drive Works' were available with a 3-speed automatic in addition to the standard 5-speed manual.Alto/Works
When the Kei carKei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
standards were changed in 1990, capacity was increased to 657 cc (F6A) in March, the Alto becoming the CL/CM/CN/CP21 in the process. The new standards also allowed for a 100 mm (3.9 in) longer car, which meant new bigger front and rear bumper, and new headlights and grille. Lower grade Van versions received a 6-valve 36 hp engine, while passenger car versions (and the l'Èpo Van) got a 12-valve, 52 hp version. 4WD versions with the 3-speed automatic transmission were fuel-injected and offered 3 more hp. The F6A-engined Works RS/X and RS/R still claimed the legally limited 64 hp, but the lower grade i.e. Turbo (introduced in July) received a 6-valve SOHC-engine producing 61 hp. Reflecting decreased tax benefits for commercial Kei cars, the Works series was now classified as passenger vehicles, allowing for a real backseat.
In September 1991, responding to increasing safety demands, the Alto received side impact protection. Also, the vertical door handles (see picture on the right) on three-door versions were replaced by traditional horizontal ones. The reengineering was extensive enough to necessitate new model codes, with vans becoming CL/CM22 (FF/4WD) and passenger versions (including the Works) now called CR/CS22. While performance engines remained as they were, the "cooking" Alto's engines were updated with power outputs up to 40 and 52 hp respectively (29/38 kW).
Alto Hustle
Suzuki also produced a version (the Hustle) with a high roof behind the front seats, which was unusual in that it used a modification of the 5-door Alto's body rather than a completely new body; this made it possible to link the Hustle with the Alto, but made the styling rather unharmonious. Its appearance was similar to the Nissan AD Max van. It was short-lived, only being offered between November 1991 and October 1993.Table data is from Goo-net, unless otherwise specified. ( · )=AT version, [ · ]=MT 4WD, { · }=AT 4WD
| Suzuki Alto Hustle 1991-93 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Version | Hu-2 | Hu | St | Le |
| Empty Weight | 630 kg | 640 (650) [690] kg | 660 (670) kg | 660 (670) [710] {730} kg |
| Wheelbase | 2335 mm (91.9 in) | |||
| Track | front: 1220 mm (48.0 in), 4WD: 1215 mm (47.8 in) rear: 1200 mm (47.2 in) |
|||
| Length/Width/Height | 3295 / 1395 / 1660 mm (4WD: 1685) 129.7 / 54.9 / 65.4 in (4WD: 66.3) |
|||
| Seats | 2 | 4 | ||
| Engine | All alloy SOHC 657 cc inline-three F6A, 65.0 x 67.0 mm | |||
| Valvetrain | 2 valves per cylinder (6-valve) | 4 valves per cylinder (12-valve) | ||
| Aspiration | single-barrel carburator | EPI (electronic fuel injection) | ||
| Power | 40 PS at 6,000 rpm | 52 PS at 7,000 rpm | 55 PS at 7,500 rpm | |
| Torque | 5.5 kgm at 4,500 rpm | 5.7 kgm at 4,500 rpm | 5.8 kgm at 5,500 rpm | |
| Compression | 9.7:1 | 10.5:1 | ||
| Top speed | 120 kilometre per hour | 140 kilometre per hour | 150 kilometre per hour | |
| Fuel tank size | 30 l (63.4 US pt) | |||
| Tires | 135/80SR12 | 135/80SR12 (4WD: 155/70R12 73S) |
135/80SR12 | 135/80SR12 (4WD: 155/70R12 73S) |
4th generation (HA11)
The 4th generation (HA11) appeared in 1994. The 657 cc F6A engines were joined by a new high-performance 64 PS 658 cc K6A (HA21). The styling displays an interesting blend of features: the tailgateHatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
and rear doors are still fairly angular, but the front is beginning to be more rounded - a trend which would be continued in later years.
5th generation (HA12)
The 5th generation Alto (HA12/22) was introduced in October 1998. The styling was generally more rounded, the shape of the cabin showing the Alto's relationship with the new Suzuki KeiSuzuki Kei
The Suzuki Kei is a kei car produced by Suzuki between 1998 and 2009.From 1999 to 2006, Suzuki produced the Mazda Laputa, an OEM version of the Suzuki Kei....
. The 658 cc K6A engine was now also available without a turbocharger, joining the turbocharged version and the familiar 657 cc F6A engines. The turbocharged Works models were available with a 60 hp F6A engine (i.e., 5MT/3AT and FF or 4WD) or a 64 hp VVT
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
K6A (RS/Z, 5MT and FF or 4WD). The front wheel drive RS/Z was sold with a non-VVT K6A engine when in combination with a 4-speed automatic transmission, it too with a claimed 64 hp. In December 2000, the Works versions were discontinued, as the Alto was realigned as an economy version. The Suzuki Kei
Suzuki Kei
The Suzuki Kei is a kei car produced by Suzuki between 1998 and 2009.From 1999 to 2006, Suzuki produced the Mazda Laputa, an OEM version of the Suzuki Kei....
Sports picked up the Works' mantle.
Several derivatives were produced from this generation. Suzuki produced two "classic-style" versions: the Alto C with a deep chrome grille and a curious headlamp arrangement by which circular main lamps were joined with ovoid sidelights and indicators, which was shared with the Alto Works; and the Alto C2 which had separate headlamps and sidelights and a wider grille. Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
also sold the standard Alto as the Carol
Mazda Carol
The Mazda Carol is a name used by Mazda for its kei cars from 1962 until 1970. It was revived again with Mazda's 1989 reentry into the Kei car class.-Carol :...
, and Mitsuoka
Mitsuoka
is a small Japanese automobile company. They are noted for building cars with unconventional styling, some of which imitate British vehicles of the 1950s and 1960s. It is primarily a coachbuilder, taking production cars like the Nissan March and replacing the bodywork with its own custom designs...
used the Carol as a basis for their Ray. Pakistani production began in 2000, utilizing the F10A engine.
Facelift
In December 2000, the fifth generation Alto received a thorough facelift, becoming the HA23. As the Works was discontinued, naturally aspirated versions of the K6A became the only ones on offer, with either 54 hp or 46 hp in an especially efficient lean-burn iteration. Front- or four-wheel drive, manual and automatic transmissions were available (no more CVTCVT
CVT may stand for:* Chemical vapor transport a method for growing crystals* Continuously variable transmission, a vehicle transmission providing an infinite number of possible ratios...
), in either a 3- or 5-door hatchback body. A 3-door van version remained available.
Maruti Alto
The Maruti Alto is the Indian-built version of the fifth generation Alto, manufactured by Maruti Suzuki. It was launched in the local Indian market on September 27, 2000 although the Alto nameplate was very successfully being used to export the Maruti ZenMaruti Zen
The Maruti Zen is a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki. It has acquired significant popularity in India since the nameplate was first introduced in 1993. The word "ZEN" is an acronym standing for Zero Engine Noise...
to Europe from India since around 1994 having captured over 40% market share in Belgium and 33% in Netherlands by 1998. It is the best-selling hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
in India. Since 2006, It is India's largest selling car and crossed the 1 million production figure in February 2008 becoming the 3rd Maruti model to cross the million mark in India after Maruti 800
Maruti 800
Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is a rebadged version of an old model of the Suzuki Alto. Over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold since its launch in 1983...
and Maruti Omni and 4th overall joining Hyundai Santro. Besides being exported to Europe from 1994–2004, it has also been exported to several other countries.
Specifications
Until the late 2010 introduction of the K10 Alto, it was powered by a three-cylinder 796 cc gasoline engine with 4 valves per cylinder, MPFI and a 32bit ECM. All models have a five-speed manual transmission. There also used to be a VX/VXi model with a 4-cylinder 1,061 cc engine (64 bhp/80 Nm torque) launched in April 2001. This has now been discontinued, although it is still sold in certain European countries. The VX model also featured a tachometer not found in lesser Altos.800 cc Alto:
- Maximum Power: 47 PS at 6,200 rpm
- Torque: 62 N·m (46 ft·lbf) at 3,000 rpm
- Acceleration 0–100 km/h: approximately 20 seconds
- Top Speed: 137 kilometre per hour
Variants
Maruti Alto rear view |
The Alto is offered in the following variants:
| Standard | Base model, non-AC Air conditioning An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle... , launched in 2004. |
|---|---|
| LX | Upgraded, with AC, tinted windows, heater, floor front console with cup holders, fabric seats, etc. |
| LXi | High-end, with extra features like integrated rear seat head restraints, remote fuel lid opener, electronic power steering, etc. |
The Alto was seen as a natural successor to the time-tested and equally popular Maruti 800 (MB 308). It contained all the plus points that the 800 offered Indian car-buyers, in addition to features such as power-steering, power-assisted braking and a 5th gear that the 800 did not normally have. The popularity of the Alto has steadily increased over the past few years, mainly due to the aggressive pricing. This reduction in prices has mainly come in due to the reduction in excise duty over time. Alto became the first car in India to sell over 200,000 units in a single financial year, the last 100,000 units being sold in 5 months. Alto was also the only car to sell over 22,000 units in a single month. Maruti's vast network of dealerships and Maruti Authorized Service Centers (MASS) have also contributed towards this massive popularity in the Indian entry-level automobile market.
Maruti Alto with K Series Engine
Maruti Suzuki has launched a new version of Maruti Alto in the Indian auto market in August 2010. The new Maruti Alto K10 is equipped with the company's 1.0 L, K-series petrol engine which also currently powers the A-Star and Wagon R. The K10B engine delivers 68 PS of maximum power at 6,200 rpm with 90 Nm of maximum torque at 3,200 rpm. 0–100 km/h is possible in 13.33 seconds. The company's senior official said that they have no plans to discontinue the previous version with the launch of Maruti Alto.
6th generation (HA24)
The 6th generation (HA24) was introduced in 2004. The bonnet and headlamps curved down at the front, giving a similar effect to the Toyota WiLLToyota WiLL
The Toyota WiLL series consists of three individually-designed cars, based on the mechanicals of other Toyota models. The series was intended to appeal to markets that were not covered by Toyota's mainstream range, and to discover how commercially feasible such unusual designs were. The WiLL range...
Vi or the Citroën C2
Citroën C2
The Citroën C2 is a supermini-class car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since autumn of 2003, replacing the Citroën Saxo, it was built at the Aulnay plant on the outskirts of Paris. A different model, based on the Peugeot 206, is sold in China as the C2...
. The Alto was re-aligned as a less costly car to accommodate new models such as the Cervo
Suzuki Cervo
Suzuki was the first company to offer a kei car in 1955. One interesting departure from other Kei cars was the Fronte Coupé introduced in September 1971. It was a 2+2 Giugiaro-designed mini GT based on the rear-engine Suzuki Fronte, measuring a mere 2995 mm...
and Alto Lapin
Suzuki Alto Lapin
The Suzuki Alto Lapin is a retro-styled Kei car with a 5-door hatchback body, manufactured since 2002 by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan only by Mazda as Mazda Spiano under an OEM agreement under their Autozam marque...
. The more powerful engines were moved into the other more upmarket versions like the Suzuki Kei
Suzuki Kei
The Suzuki Kei is a kei car produced by Suzuki between 1998 and 2009.From 1999 to 2006, Suzuki produced the Mazda Laputa, an OEM version of the Suzuki Kei....
Works and Alto Lapin SS
Suzuki Alto Lapin
The Suzuki Alto Lapin is a retro-styled Kei car with a 5-door hatchback body, manufactured since 2002 by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan only by Mazda as Mazda Spiano under an OEM agreement under their Autozam marque...
, leaving the Alto with only a 54 PS version. In Japan, this version of the Alto was rebadged as the Nissan Pino
Nissan Pino
The Nissan Pino is a kei car produced by Nissan from 2007-2010, an OEM version of the Suzuki Alto 6th generation....
and Mazda Carol.
Japan
The 7th Generation was first shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor ShowTokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
alongside its sister car, the Mazda Carol
Mazda Carol
The Mazda Carol is a name used by Mazda for its kei cars from 1962 until 1970. It was revived again with Mazda's 1989 reentry into the Kei car class.-Carol :...
.
International
The 7th Generation is known in India as the Maruti Suzuki A-Star (short for "Alto-Star"), but is also known as the Suzuki Celerio in some other countries. It was launched in December 2008 by the Indo-Japanese auto maker Maruti Suzuki. The car is manufactured exclusively in HaryanaHaryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, India and is exported worldwide. It is available in European markets with a somewhat different front end as the Nissan Pixo. The car was rolled out to the Indian customers in December 2008 and exports began in April 2009. The Indian market version comes in three variants - LXi, VXi and ZXi.
The initial expected prices in the Indian market are (ex-showroom Delhi) for the LXI, for the VXI and for the ZXI. With this price tag, the car is targeted at customers with budgets somewhere between the Zen Estilo
Suzuki MR Wagon
The Suzuki MR Wagon is a kei car with a mini MPV body, seating four, manufactured by Suzuki for the Japanese market only, and also marketed in Japan by Nissan as the Nissan Moco under an OEM agreement. The model debuted in 2001, and since 2007 it has been in its second generation...
and the Swift
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is a subcompact car produced by Suzuki in Japan since 2000. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus in export markets such as Australasia, Europe, India and North America.- Predecessor :...
.
With a totally new body and engine, Maruti hopes to bring freshness to the Indian car market, of which it already holds a major share. The 998 cc three cylinder K10B was developed especially for the new car, and is also used for the Nissan Pixo. Initial reviews have been positive. The A-Star has a fresh new dashboard, with an available unique protruding tachometer besides the usual meter cowl (only in the ZXi trim). Along with the Swift, SX4 and Grand Vitara, the A-Star is part of an effort to change Suzuki/Maruti's reputation into that of being a producer of stylish cars.
Nissan Pixo
The Nissan Pixo, available in Europe since 2009 is the "sister car" to the Suzuki Alto featuring a few obvious differences, including the main grille and headlamps. Because it is developed and built in low-cost India, the Pixo can be bought new for just under £7,000 and nearly a third of that price for a used one.The main competitors are the Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo is a city car sold by Toyota in Europe since 2005. All Aygos are built at the new factory of the Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech joint venture in Kolin, Czech Republic. The Aygo was first displayed at the 2005 Salon de l'Automobile de Genève...
, Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto, known as the Kia Morning in South Korea and Chile, Kia EuroStar in Taiwan, Kia New Morning in Vietnam and the Naza Suria or Naza Picanto in Malaysia, is a low cost city car produced by Kia Motors....
and Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993...
, all also small hatchbacks but all offering more luggage space than the Pixo.
Trim Variants/Engines
The UK has 4 different trims available for the Pixo:
N-Tec, Visia, Acenta and Tekna, all available with a 1.0 L Suzuki K10B three-cylinder petrol engine - shared with the Alto and capable of 68 hp and a top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph), reaching 100 km/h in 13.5 seconds.
All are five door hatchbacks, with the option of a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox, except the Visia, which is only available with the manual gearbox.
Export markets
- The CA71 is made with the 796-cc engine in India as the Maruti 800Maruti 800Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is a rebadged version of an old model of the Suzuki Alto. Over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold since its launch in 1983...
, in Pakistan by Pak Suzuki as the Mehran 800, and in China by (among others) Chang'an, Jiangbei and Jiangnan. This model, rather than the CL11, was exported to Europe until 1994. - The CL11 was made in Korea, Poland, Romania and Uzbekistan as the Daewoo TicoDaewoo TicoThe Daewoo Tico is a city car produced by the Korean automaker Daewoo from 1991 to 2001.The Tico was based on the 1988 Suzuki Alto. The car was equipped with a three-cylinder 796 cc S-TEC engine and had a five-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic transmission. The Tico was...
, and in China by Anchi. - In 1994 the CA71 Alto was replaced for European consumption by the MarutiMaruti UdyogMaruti Suzuki India Limited is a subsidiary company of Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki. The company offers a complete range of cars from entry level Maruti 800 and Alto, to hatchback Ritz, A-Star, Swift, Wagon-R, Estillo and sedans DZire, SX4, in the 'C' segment Maruti Eeco ...
-built version of the Cervo ModeMaruti ZenThe Maruti Zen is a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki. It has acquired significant popularity in India since the nameplate was first introduced in 1993. The word "ZEN" is an acronym standing for Zero Engine Noise...
, which was sold as the Alto until 2002. - The HA12 is made in India as the Maruti Alto (in a longer and wider form with 796 or 1,061 cc engines, with five doors), and this was exported to Europe as the Suzuki Alto from 2002 until 2009. It is also made by Pak Suzuki in Pakistan, and was formerly made by ChevroletChevroletChevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
in ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. - The current Alto is exported from India with a 998 cc engine producing 65 PS.
Thus the European Suzuki Altos are really:
- 1979-84: SS40 Frontes with a 40 hp 796 cc 3-cylinder engine (SS80).
- 1984-94: CA/CB91 Altos/Frontes (also referred to as SB308) with the same 40 hp F8B engine as the SS80.
- 1994-2002: Maruti ZenMaruti ZenThe Maruti Zen is a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki. It has acquired significant popularity in India since the nameplate was first introduced in 1993. The word "ZEN" is an acronym standing for Zero Engine Noise...
s (based on the Cervo Mode), with a 993 cc engine. - 2002-2009: Maruti Altos (based on the HA12 Alto), with a 1,061 cc engine.
- 2009 to date Maruti Suzuki A-Star, with a 998 cc engine.
The Suzuki Alto European market version of the Maruti Suzuki A-Star was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show
2008 Paris Motor Show
The 2008 Paris Motor Show took place from 4 October to 19 October 2008, in Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles.This edition of the Paris Motor Show featured a high number of hybrid and electric vehicles , a tectonic shift that led a New York Times blogger to ask, "Who killed the non-electric cars?".-...
. It was developed to be a global car and will be made at Maruti Suzuki's plant in Manesar
Manesar
Manesar/मानेसर is a fast growing industrial town in Gurgaon district of the State of Haryana in India, and is a part of the National Capital Region of Delhi. It has transformed from a sleepy village to one of the fastest growing townships in India. It is an upcoming area of NCR. Some of the...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, India. It is stylistically based on the Suzuki A-Star Concept. The Alto was conceived as a response to high petrol prices and global warming. The vehicle's emissions will be only 103g of CO2/km. It will be an eco-friendly car priced from £6,795 OTR. The Maruti Suzuki A-Star is also produced for Nissan, its version is called Nissan Pixo.
The GoGet
GoGet
GoGet CarShare is a car sharing service operating in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and the first such program in Australia. GoGet was launched as Newtown CarShare on 6 June 2003 with three vehicles and twelve founding members. Following interest from the City of Darebin, the service was...
car share scheme provides 2009 model Suzuki Altos as part of its fleet of share cars in Australia.
The locally-made versions of the various Altos have had long production lives, and have sometimes won great popularity, as with the Maruti 800
Maruti 800
Maruti 800 is a city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is a rebadged version of an old model of the Suzuki Alto. Over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have been sold since its launch in 1983...
. In particular the CA71 generation has been produced in many countries, and can frequently be seen being offered as a cheap city car among several more newly-designed products.