New entrant: Maruti Alto 800 launched in India

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has launched the new Alto 800 in India at a starting price of Rs 2.44 lakh, (ex-showroom Delhi).

Available in an updated design package, the 2012 Alto 800 will be available in six trim levels including CNG versions.

Prices - Alto 800 Standard (Petrol) - Rs 2.44 lakh; Alto 800 LX (Petrol) - Rs 2.76 lakh; Alto 800 LXi (Petrol) - Rs 2.99 lakh; Alto 800 Standard (CNG) - Rs 3.19 lakh; Alto 800 LX (CNG) - Rs 3.37 lakh; Alto 800 LXi (CNG) - Rs 3.56 lakh

With enhanced headroom, shoulder room and utility space, the new Alto 800 comes across as a roomier model.

The Alto 800 has a lot of changes under the hood. There is a new plastic intake system (the older one was aluminium), a new lighter crankshaft, a new cylinder head, new piston rings and a new gearbox. All this combined boosts the output to 48PS and 69Nm which is an 11 per cent increase from the previous model.

The dashboard is all new. It is raised at the centre to accommodate the new aircon vents. The side aricon vents are now circular. The aircon controls however are the same from the previous Alto, while the steering wheel is all new.

The extra height in the car means more headroom inside. To be exact the headroom has increased by 15mm.

Maruti is also claiming a fuel economy of 22.7kmpl for the petrol powered variants and 30.46km/kg for the CNG ones.

Since the company started its pre-booking in September, Maruti has received over 10000 pre-orders for the new Alto 800.

Visually, the Alto 800 is a completely new car. The headlights are mounted higher now and has black detailing inside. The grille is very Ford Figo-esque and has a chrome strip running right across the middle.

As far as safety is concerned, the Alto will be offered with an optional driver airbag in higher trims and ABS.

The existing Alto F8 will be discontinued while the K10 will not have the design changes seen on the new Alto 800.