Suzuki Maruti Alto to debut in Paris
Click above for two high-res shots of the new Suzuki Alto
Suzuki will bring its seventh-generation Alto to the Paris Motor Show this October, featuring stylistic and powertrain upgrades to compete with the best and brightest from the budget-oriented, compact class. Based on the A-Star concept introduced at last year's New Delhi Motor Show, the new model will be built in India by Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant, and will likely packing a 1.0-liter engine which should make Euro V emissions regulations a breeze to exceed. Expect the new Alto to find its largest market in India, along with limited sales throughout Europe. For an economy car, it's a pretty decent looker from what we can tell from the two shots Suzuki's released ahead of the show, and we expect it will find plenty of buyers looking for a relatively cheap way to get around. Check the press release after the break for more.
Gallery: Paris Preview: Suzuki Alto
[Source: Suzuki]
Press Release:
SUZUKI AT THE MONDIAL DE L'AUTOMOBILE IN PARIS WORLD PREMIERE FOR ALL-NEW GENERATION OF ALTO
* New Alto combines low environmental impact with fun to use
* Two new fuel-cell models display innovative eco-friendliness
* Press Conference on 2 October, 2008 at 8.30h, Hall 3, Stand 302
The Paris International Motor Show (Mondial de l'Automobile), to be held from 2-19 October 2008, is the venue for Suzuki Motor Corporation to exhibit an array of exciting new models and concept cars. At its Stand 302 in Hall 3, the company hosts, among others, the world premiere of the all-new Alto.
New Suzuki Alto offers eco-friendly and enjoyable motoring
The all-new Alto builds on the strengths of Suzuki's unparalleled knowledge of small-car development. It combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in terms of high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. The new compact car offers light weight achieved through downsizing yet provides ample interior roominess and comfort. For the compact body, Suzuki designers tailored a stylish, sporty and youthful look that simultaneously exudes solidity and urban energy. It is perfectly matched to European tastes and supports a low drag coefficient. With overall higher levels of quality, comfort, and safety, the all-new Alto is a response to the needs of today's motorists.
Fuel cell models with high environmental compatibility
Suzuki seeks to further strengthen the environmentally conscious advantages of its products and aims for further reductions of their impact on the global environment. One way to achieve this is fuel cell technology. The latest two fuel-cell models will be exhibited in Paris: the first is the SX4 FCV and is equipped with a GM-made high-performance fuel cell stack, a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen tank, and a light, compact capacitor. The second is the "crosscage" that features a simple, compact, and lightweight air-cooled fuel-cell power system from British specialist company Intelligent Energy, plus a high-performance lithium-ion secondary battery.
Today's Suzuki at a glance
The Suzuki stand will also include other exciting products that embody Suzuki's "Way of Life!" message. The lineup will include production vehicles such as the Swift, Grand Vitara, SX4 and Splash. In addition, the SX4 WRC car as well as the SERT endurance GSX-R1000, will show Suzuki's motorsport spirit.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David 8:42AM (8/08/2008)
Was this thing styled in China?
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catgirlshyla 8:44AM (8/08/2008)
Not coming to the USA.
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john riley 8:51AM (8/08/2008)
What is with all the big black holes in the front end of cars where the grill used to be?
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mike 8:55AM (8/08/2008)
Cars are becoming too ”fishy” if I may put it that way. Many cars are too curvy and too Yaris like, I guess it is done so the car gets better wind resistance, which is great and all, but I still like that boxy, straight line look of Cadillac, especially last generation CTS.
That car was something else, absolutely GOURGEOUS.
Now on the subject: Suzuki needs this car in USA, now is the time to make big money in small cars, while the competition is sleeping (GM, Ford, Chrysler are not aware of that whole costly gas thing) and try to gain market share. Go head to head with Fit and Yaris and I see no reason why this will not be a worthy competitor.
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Gregg 9:30AM (8/08/2008)
For one thing, it is a whole class size smaller than Fit, Yaris and Aveo. For another, it was engineered for the Indian market, so it they didn't have to meet US crash standards.
asifgrkhan 4:58PM (8/08/2008)
The current Suzuki Alto retails for the equivalent of $7000 to $9000.
And if the 60% markup*** of cars sold in both India and the US is any indication, then this could possibly sell for around $5000-$7000 if it ever comes here.
*** India Prices:
Honda Civic 1.8 - $28000+
Honda Accord 2.5 - $40,000+
mr.ed 1:58PM (8/08/2008)
Suzuki's quality will have to improve immensely if it wants to compete. Now second last to Range Rover, below Kia. Some company to be in.
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Avinash machado 10:11AM (8/08/2008)
It will be sold in India as the Maruti Alto.
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Zane 10:39AM (8/08/2008)
LOL .. what have they done? This is a worse concept-to-production transformation than last year's XF.
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Tsunami Racer 12:01PM (8/08/2008)
if i see another VW/Audi/Chrysler LHS grill on another new car, i'm gonna vomit....
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BlackCanary 1:09PM (8/08/2008)
I can honestly say I MUCH prefer the NANO!
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majortom1981 1:18PM (8/08/2008)
how is it that autoblog likes the looks of this and not the look of the yaris? they seem pretty much the same to me.
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Randy 6:32PM (8/08/2008)
Wow, short interest in here! I only came in to say!
No whammy's, No Whammy's STOP
(i.e. ALTO is spanish for stop)
badum bum
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Crazy 11:45PM (8/10/2008)
A friend was a car detailer at a Suzuki dealership. I picked him up one evening and he asked me to run my hand along the roof of the then new Indian built Alto (sometime in the 90's).
I'll never forget the feeling of the sand coming through the paint.
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Quixilver 1:14AM (8/11/2008)
Its shamelessly ugly! I can bet u have better looking small cars around. The NANO to me is a much better looking one... The silver shade proto A-star looked promising and I was eager to spend my money on it as a 2nd car for short city drives... Sadly the sloping rear roof-line isnt quite practicality-inspiring either.
Looks odd... but then, we always "get used to" the odd looking cars... whats the fun in the world if everything was beautiful.... sometimes there is beauty in ugliness... to me thats apt statement for any classic Alfa Romeo!
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