Maruti Suzuki had introduced Alto 800 in India almost 2 decades ago. Launched in September 2000, Alto has dominated the budget hatchback segment since the last 16 years. In 2004, it became the best-selling car in India. The sales number is still going very strong in the market. The consistent rise in demand over the years has made the hatchback the most preferred choice for those who want to start their journey on four wheels. The company claims that nearly 76 percent of customers of Alto are first-time car buyers. Currently, the Second-Generation Alto is on sale. The company recently launched the BS6 compliant CNG variants of Alto hatchback in the country. It is also India’s first entry-level car to become BS6 compliant.
Cosmetically, Alto 800 received an update in April 2019. It offered an all-new front grille and a redesigned bumper. Other highlighted features included a 7-inch Smartplay touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In terms of safety, the hatchback comes equipped with reverse parking sensors, driver & front co-passenger airbags, a speed alert system, seat belt reminder for both front occupants, along with ABS and EBD.
“Consistently setting new benchmarks in the Indian auto Industry, Alto is the undisputed leader in India for 16 years in a row establishing its dominance in the competitive entry segment. owing to its unparalleled performance, compact design, easy maneuverability, high fuel- efficiency, affordability, and timely convenience and safety-related upgrades. Backed by a strong legacy, Alto continues to appeal to customers across the length and breadth of the country, with 76% customers choosing it as their 1st car,” commented Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
Under the skin, the Maruti Alto 800 is powered by a BS6-compliant 796cc 3-cylinder petrol mill that churns out 47 bhp power and 69 Nm torque. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. It offers fuel efficiency of 22.05 kmpl in Petrol and 31 kmpl in CNG. It is offered in four variants namely Standard, LXI, VXI, and VXI+. The car is available in six color options - red, white, silver, green, grey, and blue.
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