The Suzuki Alto is a small car (kei car) designed by Suzuki. Its selling points have long included a low price and good fuel economy. The model, currently in its seventh generation, was first introduced in 1979 and has been built in many countries worldwide. The Alto badge has often been used on different cars in Japan and in export markets.
First generation
The first generation (SS30V/40V), introduced in May 1979, was a three-door cargo version of the Frontepassenger 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 (21 kW) 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 in the US). 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 with cut-priced "commercial" vehicles really intended for private use.
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 (21 kW) but at 6,000 rpm. Torque was considerably lower, down from 5.3 to 4.2 kg·m (52 to 41 N·m; 38 to 30 lb·ft). 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 (1 in) of ground clearance.
Most export Altos were passenger car versions (which used the "Fronte" badge in the Japanese domestic markets), and usually received the 0.8 litre F8B engine and the SS80 chassis code. The SS80 was also built in New Zealand, by South Pacific Suzuki Assemblers at a rate of six per day. It was introduced in New Zealand in March 1980.
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.
Second generation
The second 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 four-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 (47 kW). It acquired considerable popularity, with models of it still made byFujimi. 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.
Third generation
The third 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 (31 kW) F5B engine known from the SS71 Cervo, but with an added 34 hp (25 kW) 6-valve version in lower-spec versions. A 46 hp (34 kW)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 (43 kW) engine (FF S/X or 4WD S/R) or a 64 hp (48 kW) 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.
Fourth generation
The fourth generation (HA11) appeared in 1994. The 657 cc F6A engines were joined by a new high-performance 64 PS (47 kW) 658 cc K6A (HA21). The styling displays an interesting blend of features: thetailgate 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.
Fifth generation
The fifth-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 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 hpVVT 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 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 an old carburetor based F10A engine.
The car was sold as a Chevrolet Alto in Colombia and Ecuador, equipped with a one-litre, sixteen-valve four-cylinder engine.
Maruti Alto (2000–2012)
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 Zen 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 third Maruti model to cross the million mark in India after Maruti 800 and Maruti Omni and fourth overall joining Hyundai Santro. A new version of the Alto called the Alto 800 was released in the Indian car market on October 16, 2012. This new version of the car was the first major redesign of the Alto in the Indian auto scene after its introduction in India in 2000. It features new engines, a new design and added features among other changes. Besides being exported to Europe from 1994 to 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 (35 kW) at 6,200 rpm
Torque: 62 N·m (46 lbf·ft) at 3,000 rpm
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: approximately 20 seconds
Top Speed: 137 km/h (85 mph)
Maruti Alto 800 (2012–)
The Alto 800 has all-new bodywork and interiors. It replaced the first generation Maruti Alto, and while keeping the 796 cc engine, there have been several modifications. The price of the Alto, already India's best-selling car, was actually lowered with the model change. Various methods were found to lower the price, including the lowering of the weight of each individual component by one gram each, and also by building their own robots for manufacturing the car.
Variants
Standard - Base model of the Alto 800.
LX - Middle variant of the Alto 800. Gets AC, remote fuel lid opener etc.
LXI- Top end variant, gets power steering, Remote hatch opener , Remote fuel lid, Power windows , Adjustable Outside rear view mirrors, Digital clock.
LXI Airbag- Includes all features of LXI but also gets airbags.
Maruti Alto 800 CNG LXI- The top end variant of the line up comes with safety features like headlight levelling.high mounted stop lamp,engine immobiliser,front wiper and washer with intermittent, collapsible steering column, internally adjustable ORVMS, Power windows,Digital clocks,remote back opener,power steering, remote fuel lid opener, silver accent on instrument panel.
Maruti Alto 800 CNG Base- Maruti along with the regular variants has introduced CNG option which offers a whooping mileage of 30.46kmpl. Maruti Alto 800 comes with wavefront design,fresh and spacious interiors, 3 spoke steering wheel with silver accents and utility spaces on the dashboard.
Maruti Alto 800 CNG LX- Maruti Alto 800 CNG LXI boasts of comfort features like assist grips for the driver, front seat passenger as well as the rear seat passengers. There are can holders, coin holder and 1L botlle holder, plus the hatch offers dial type climate control,remote fuel lid opener and passenger side utility pocket. There are airbags offered as an optional accessory
Sixth generation
The sixth generation (HA24) was introduced in 2004. The bonnet and headlamps curved down at the front, giving a similar effect to the Toyota WiLL Vi or the Citroën C2. The Alto was realigned 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 andAlto Lapin SS, leaving the Alto with only a 54 PS (40 kW) version. In Japan, this version of the Alto was rebadged as the Nissan Pino and Mazda Carol.
Seventh generation (2009–present)
Japan
The seventh generation was first shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show alongside its sister car, theMazda Carol. It is available with a 0.66L engine, a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic or a CVTtransmission, in FWD or 4WD variants. Under Japanese 10-15 test cycle, the front-wheel drive with CVT achieves 24.5 km/litre fuel economy.
In 2011, Suzuki launched the Alto Eco variant, that features the R06A engine lifted from the Suzuki MR Wagon and an idling stop function. It is capable of reaching the fuel economy of 30.2 km/L (71MPG) based on Japan's JC08 Mode test cycle (32 km/L under 10-15 test cycle). This is .2 km/L higher than the Daihatsu Mira e:S.
Suzuki evolved a New Model "Alto K10". Powered by three-cylinder units displacing 998cc. The engine is one of the best units in it class[citation needed] and is the only 1.0 litre twin cam engine available in the Suzuki range. The engine produces 68PS at 6200rpm and 90Nm torque at 3500rpm. Car has 5-speed transmissions and is smooth to operate. However the Alto's feels a tad better to use. The engine too is more refined and not as harsh as contemporaries. The power to weight figure is an impressive 88.88PS per tonne.
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