| Maruti Suzuki Alto | |
|---|---|
 Suzuki Alto (Chile) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Maruti Suzuki |
| Also called | Suzuki Alto |
| Production | 2000–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car (A) |
| Body style | 5-doorhatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Maruti Suzuki 800 |
TheMaruti Suzuki Alto is acity car manufactured and marketed bySuzuki through its subsidiaryMaruti Suzuki primarily for the Indian market since 2000. The first-generation model was essentially the Indian version of thefifth-generation Suzuki Altokei car (with larger engine options). The second generation was made as a standalone model, which was built on the same platform as the first generation.[1] The third-generation model is built on the same underpinnings as theS-Presso.
Since 2006, the Alto has been India's best-selling car[2] and crossed the 1 million production figure in February 2008 becoming the third Maruti model to cross the million mark in India afterMaruti 800 andMaruti Omni and fourth overall joiningHyundai Santro.[3][4] As of 2024, the Alto is the only one car in India has ever sold over 5 million units.[5]
| First generation (RF) | |
|---|---|
 2004 Suzuki Alto GL 1.1 (UK; pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2000–2014 |
| Assembly | India:Manesar (Maruti Suzuki) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Suzuki Alto (HA12) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,360 mm (92.9 in) |
| Length |
|
| Width |
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| Height | 1,460 mm (57.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 740–820 kg (1,631–1,808 lb) |
The first generation was launched to the local Indian market on 27 September 2000[4] although the Alto nameplate had been successfully used to export theMaruti Suzuki Zen to Europe from India since around 1994,[6] having captured over 40% market share in Belgium and 33% in Netherlands by 1998.[7] The original Alto 800 carries the RF308 chassis code while the three-cylinder K10 is RF310; the four-cylinder export version is RF410.
The Alto was seen as a natural successor to the time-tested and equally popularMaruti 800 (MB 308). It included all the advantages of the 800 model for Indian car buyers, along with additional features such as power steering, power-assisted braking, and a fifth gear, which the 800 lacked. The Alto's popularity has grown steadily in recent years, largely due to its competitive pricing, which has been reduced thanks to lower excise duties. The Alto became the first car in India to sell over 200,000 units in a single financial year, with the last 100,000 units sold within just five months. It also became the only car to sell more than 22,000 units in a single month. Maruti's extensive network of dealerships and Authorized Service Centers (MASS) has significantly contributed to the Alto's substantial success in the Indian entry-level car market.
Maruti Suzuki India launched a new version of the first generation Alto in the Indian auto market in August 2010, the Alto K10.[8] The new Maruti Alto K10 is equipped with the company's 1.0-litre,K-series DOHC inline-three petrol engine which also powered the Celerio andWagon R, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The 998 cc (60.9 cu in)K10B engine delivers 68 PS (50 kW) of maximum power at 6200 rpm with 90 N⋅m (66 lb⋅ft; 9 kg⋅m) of maximum torque at 3200 rpm. The K10 has a redesigned front end, with more sculpted headlights. This spelled the end for the F10-engined model, while the F8-engined Alto was replaced by the all-new Alto 800 in late 2012. The Alto K10 remained in production until 2014.
This model, using the fuel injected 1061 ccF10D engine, entered the European market at theMarch 2002 Geneva Motor Show.[9] Being built in India by Maruti, it was only available with five doors, unlike earlier Maruti Zen-based Altos in Europe. Unlike in India, European model Alto was available with a 3-speed automatic transmission option.[10] The car was discontinued in 2006.
Until the late 2010 introduction of the K10 Alto, it was powered by a three-cylinder 796 cc (48.6 cu in) gasoline engine with four valves per cylinder, MPFI and a 32-bit ECM. All models have a five-speed manual transmission. There also used to be aVX/VXi model (RF410) with a four-cylinder 1061-cc engine with 63 PS (46 kW) and 85 N⋅m (9 kg⋅m; 63 lb⋅ft) torque, launched in April 2001. This has now been discontinued, although it was sold for longer in certain European countries. The VX model also featured a tachometer not found in lesser Altos.
Alto 800 (RF308):
Alto 1.1 (RF410):[10]
Alto K10 (RF310):
The Indian-made K10 version in its most basic Latin American market configuration with no airbags was crash tested byLatin NCAP in 2013. It received 0 stars for the adult occupant and 3 stars for child occupant. The car is not equipped with airbags, front seatbelts with pretensioner, ISOFIX or ABS.[11]
| Second generation (AOD) | |
|---|---|
 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXi (India; pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Production |
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| Assembly |
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| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,360 mm (92.9 in) |
| Length |
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| Width |
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| Height | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Curb weight |
|
A new version of the Alto called the Alto 800 was released in the Indian car market on 16 October 2012.[13] The Alto 800, model code AOD308, is still based on the previous generation's platform[1] (which is still based on the1998 Altokei car) but received all-new bodywork and interior. It replaced the first generation Maruti Alto (although the predecessor continued to be produced for a little longer), and while keeping the same 796 cc (48.6 cu in) engine, there have been several modifications. The base price of the Alto, already India's best-selling car, was actually lowered with the new model, as it replaced the venerableMaruti 800. Various methods were found to lower the price, including lowering the weight of each individual component by one gram each, and also by building their own robots for manufacturing the car.[14] It was also sold as theSuzuki Alto 800 in many export markets. In May 2016, a refreshed version of Alto 800 was introduced with notable changes to the exterior, interior, features and specifications. The new Maruti Alto 800 comes with improved fuel efficiency and is now capable of returning a mileage of 24.7 km/L (58.1 mpg US) In April 2019, the car received another refresh. The Alto 800 did not comply withBSVI emissions standards and was thus discontinued in 2023 when BSVI Stage II was enforced.
Maruti Suzuki then launched a K10-powered version of the second generation Alto (AOD310) on 3 November 2014.[15] Introduced at a base price of Rs. 3.06 Lakh, the next gen Alto K10 comes with multiple exterior and interiors updates, however mechanically it remains same. The car is a somewhat upgraded version of the Alto 800 with a new front fascia comprising a new chrome fitted front grille, new swept back headlamps, and a redesigned bonnet line. There are also amendments for tail lights, restructuring of bumpers, 13-inch wheels, door mirrors, door moulding and some other minor modifications. Interiors too have been updated, with a new dashboard, three-spoke steering wheel, refined upholstery, black finished music system and a better looking instrument cluster. Other added features inside the car include front power windows, 12 V power socket, internally adjustable door mirrors, headlamp warning buzzer, key off reminder and gearshift indicator.
Powering the 2015 Alto K10 is the same 1.0-litre K10B engine that also powers theCelerio andWagon R. However, this time it has been tuned to provide better fuel economy, and the new Alto K10 returns anARAI-certified fuel economy of 24.06 km/L (56.6 mpg US), 15 percent better than the outgoing model. The Alto K10 facelift is available with two different transmission; 5-speed manual and 5-speedAuto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission. The AGS is an automated manual transmission technology, which shifts gear with the help of an ECU mapped actuator on pre-defined engine speeds. It also allows driver to shift gears when required.
The Alto K10 was discontinued in 2020, being temporarily replaced by theS-Presso.[16] The 800 cc variant was later discontinued in 2023 due to new emission standards.
In 2014, an Alto 800 with no airbags and noABS was crash tested byGlobal NCAP (similar toLatin NCAP 2013). The car received 0 stars for adult occupant and 2 stars for child occupant.[17]
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| Third generation | |
|---|---|
 2024 Suzuki Alto 1.0 GL (Chile) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Suzuki Tour H1 (LCV)[18] |
| Production | 2022–present |
| Assembly | India:Manesar (Maruti Suzuki) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | HEARTECT |
| Related | Suzuki S-Presso |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Power output | 67 PS (49 kW) |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,380 mm (93.7 in) |
| Length | 3,530 mm (139.0 in) |
| Width | 1,490 mm (58.7 in) |
| Height | 1,520 mm (59.8 in) |
The Alto K10 was launched in India as a new generation on 18 August 2022 after two years of hiatus.[19] It is built on theHEARTECT platform shared with theS-Presso.
Maruti Alto K10 rated 2 star for adults and 0 stars for toddlers in Global NCAP under its new protocol (similar toBharat NCAP, based onLatin NCAP 2016) in 2023.[20] Starting from August 2024, ESP was made standard on all trim levels.[21] On 2nd March 2025 Maruti Suzuki made sixairbags standard on all variants.[22]
| Global NCAP 2.0 scores (2023, based onLatin NCAP 2016) | |
| Result valid for | Indian market |
| Adult Occupant stars |   |
| Adult Occupant score | 21.67 max. 34.00 |
| Child Occupant stars | |
| Child Occupant score | 03.52 max. 49.00 |
| Indian brands | |
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| Joint ventures |
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| Foreign brands | |
| Former brands | |
| See also | |
