Overview
Maruti has finally brought an all-new Alto 800 with BSVI emission norms in India but the change is not limited to only this but lots more. The exteriors come with a new aero edge design, interiors come in dual tone,and better safety in the form of reverse parking sensors and ABS with EBD. Maruti Alto 800 will be offered in a variety of 6 colour choices, namely Uptown Red, Mojito Green, Cerullo Blue, Superior White, Silky Silver and Granite Grey.
EXTERIOR
The overall silhouette of the car remains the same, albeit there are some changes that can help you differentiate between the new and the old car. Up-front, the petal-shaped headlamps look attractive; so, does the all-black radiator grille. The front bumper has been redesigned and sports a big air dam with a honeycomb-like plastic mesh. The side profile consists of mildly flared wheel arches and a strong belt line. Even the ORVMS have been redesigned. At the rear too, the tail lamps look the same; so, does the tail gate and rear bumper. Consequence of a small hike in Maruti Suzuki Alto price, right?
INTERIOR
Inside the cabin, the biggest change is the black-and-beige dashboard; it’s been carried over from the Alto K10. However, the instrument cluster and steering wheel are exactly the same. However, the door pads and seat fabric get a black-and-cream theme. The small steering feels nice to hold, and the front seats provide good comfort and support. There’s also sufficient legroom and headroom at the front. Room at the rear is decent for two adults, and perhaps, a child too. Boot space, at 177 litres, is ample for small families and trips to the airport, provided there aren’t too many bags.
In terms of interior, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 gets a dual-tone dashboard layout. The higher variants comes with 7-inch Maruti Smart Play Dock compatible with Bluetooth connectivity and fabric plus vinyl seat upholstery.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE
The Maruti Suzuki Alto is powered by a 796cc, F8D petrol engine that produces 48bhp and 69Nm of torque, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. At idle, the Alto is much more refined, with very little engine noise heard. Step on the throttle, and the engine begins to pick up pace in an unhurried manner. Throttle response is decent, but could’ve been better with the AC turned on. The clutch is light and the 5-speed gearbox is smooth, making it a very easy car to drive in urban conditions. There isn’t much body roll, and the ride stays planted. The suspension does help in absorbing bumps, but the really deep ruts can be felt in the cabin. For the updated Maruti Suzuki Alto on road prices after the transition to BS-VI, have a look at our prices section above.
BRAKING, HANDLING, SAFETY & COMFORT
In terms of safety, the BS6 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 comes with driver airbag, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminder, and speed alert system as standard. The passenger-side airbags are offered as optional in two variants- Std(O), LXi (O), while the higher variants- VXi & VXi plus comes with dual airbags as a standard feature.
The handling of the all-new Alto 800 is better than ever due to the tubeless tyres which provide maximum grip on the road. The performance is robust which comes handy with the new F8D engine.
CONCLUSION
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 gets simpler design with body-colored bumpers and door handles, while the top variants get the option of side molding. In dimensions, the car measures 3445mm in length, 1515mm with side molding, 1475mm in height, and has a 2360mm wheelbase.