Suzuki Motor Company has unveiled the Alto (A-Star) at the ongoing Paris Motor Show. Designed with considerable input from Suzuki’s Indian R&D center, the Alto (A-Star) will be built exclusively in India for the world market as well for domestic consumption. The car will be launched in India by the end of October.

The new Alto (A-Star) stands 3550mm long, 1600mm wide, 1470mm high with a wheelbase of 2360mm. The cheeky overall styling and the cute front is expected to go down well with the buyers here in India and outside.

The Alto (A-Star) will also debut the ‘K’ series engines from Suzuki which is considered a master of smaller internal combustion engines. The 1000cc engine in the Alto (A-Star) develops a very healthy 68 ps @ 6000 rpm and a maximum 90 nm of torque @ 4800 rpm. The engine is highly fuel efficient too with a combined fuel consumption figure of 22 kmpl and is Euro 5 compliant already. A co-efficient of drag of just .30 also helps the top speed which is a decent 155 kmph and the overall efficiency.

Jump over for the Suzuki A-Star Gallery, Specifications and Press Release.

Suzuki Alto (A-Star) Gallery

     

Press Release

At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Suzuki is unveiling the all-new Alto — the fifth and smallest member of its acclaimed lineup of world strategic models. The new Alto combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, thereby meeting the lifestyle needs of today’s motorists and the pressing global need for environmental compatibility. Plus, it is one of the most fun-to-drive city cars available — a great new example of Suzuki’s “Way of Life!” philosophy.

As the second model in the second phase of Suzuki’s world strategy (a phase that’s focused on user-friendliness and delivering expanded possibilities for family members), the new Alto offers good levels of comfort and convenience within a modest overall length.

Plus, a design that combines sporty, European-inspired looks with great aerodynamics means the new Alto is the most stylish car of its size.

The new Alto reflects the unparalleled knowledge of small-cars that has made Suzuki so successful with minivehicles in Japan and compact cars like the Swift all over the world. Alto is a definitive response to the need for enjoyable, eco-friendly motoring. Suzuki aims to achieve annual sales of 60,000 units in Europe following a sales launch in spring 2009.

Concept

Eco-friendly
Low CO2 emission and low fuel consumption
Lightness achieved through downsizing
Stylish and sporty design
Ample roominess and comfort as a city commuter within compact dimensions
The new Alto is aimed mainly at urban people who want a small car that offers style and enjoyment together with great environmental credentials, and it reflects the ideals of the second phase of Suzuki’s world strategy. At the heart of the concept for the new Alto is Suzuki’s belief that people should be able to enjoy economical, eco-friendly motoring without sacrificing style, comfort, practicality, or performance. Compact dimensions (the new Alto is the smallest of Suzuki’s world strategic models) play a large part in realising outstanding environmental credentials by keeping weight to a minimum, but without detracting from user-friendliness.

Design, Comfort and Practicality

An aerodynamically efficient form
Stylish, sporty and youthful design reflecting European tastes
An environment that prioritises front-seat occupants
Ample storage spaces and a roomy, user-friendly luggage area within the compact dimensions
The new Alto has a sporty, solid look that exudes urban energy despite the body’s compact dimensions. The design is elegant and beautiful thanks to aerodynamically efficient contours that combine tautness with evocative curviness. It is ideally matched to European tastes and with a drag coefficient of just 0.30 promotes fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

The cabin layout apportions most of the space to the front seats but still provides ample space for four adults. Handy storage spaces for small items are located all around the cabin. Notwithstanding the new Alto’s compact exterior dimensions, there’s a usable amount of luggage space behind the rear seats, and folding down the rear seatback expands the space into a roomy luggage area suited to daily use.

Dimensions

The new Alto has an overall length of 3,500mm, width of 1,600mm, height of 1,470mm and a wheelbase of 2,360mm.

Performance and Environmental Compatibility

Euro 5 compliant 1.0-litre petrol engine
Combined fuel consumption: 62.7mpg (4.5l/100km)
CO2 emissions: 103g/km
Front MacPherson strut suspension with high rigidity
Rear suspension in Suzuki’s proprietary 3-link rigid axle design
A minimum turning radius of 4.5m
Engine and Transmissions
The new Alto is powered by a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine successfully launched as an engine of the Splash*. This unit is light and compact with low friction characteristics. Maximum power output is 68PS (50kW) with maximum torque of 90Nm. Fuel consumption is low at 62.7 mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions are just 103g/km. Standard transmission is a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission (uncommon among one-litre cars) with gate-type shifter is available as an option.

* Available in certain markets

Suspension
The front suspension is of MacPherson strut type and the large, high-rigidity suspension frame is complemented by further strengthening in the strut mounting areas for superior handling. The rear suspension has Suzuki’s proprietary 3-link rigid axle design, and incorporates numerous refinements for the new car. The coil springs and dampers were tuned for optimum handling stability through extensive testing on roads in Europe.

Suzuki targeted handling that makes driving enjoyable on urban roads, so drivers enjoy linear response, gentle roll movements, light steering feel, and good absorption of shock and vibration. These benefits reflect the experience Suzuki has gained in motorsport around the world.

The new Alto has a minimum turning radius of just 4.5m making it easy to manoeuvre and park in tight spaces.

Safety

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®*)
Crushable structure, energy-dispersing frame and a high-rigidity body combined with lightness.
Six airbags (SRS dual front airbags, SRS dual front-seat side airbags and SRS dual curtain airbags)
To help the driver avoid hazards on the road, the new Alto is available with Electronic Stability Program (ESP®*), which modulates the engine performance and applies the brakes during cornering and under aceleration.

In the unfortunate event of an accident, the new Alto’s body reflects Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) concept in the form of crushable structures that absorb impact energy, frame members that disperse impact energy away from occupants and a strong cabin structure. Use of high-tensile steel for major body parts means the resulting high level of occupant safety does not add excessive weight to the body.

SRS front, side, and curtain airbags are available to reduce the severity of impacts suffered by occupants in the event of a collision. Energy-absorbing trim materials provide further head protection.

* ESP is a registered trademark of Daimler AG

Alto (A-Star) Specifications

Engine: 1.0L Petrol
 
 Drive system: 2WD
 
Transmission: 5MT/4AT
 
Steering: LHD/RHD
 
Number of doors: 5
 
DIMENSIONS

Overall length (mm) 3,500
 
Overall width (mm) 1,600
 
Overall height (mm) 1,470
 
Wheelbase (mm) 2,360
 
Tread Front (mm) 1,405
 
Rear (mm) 1,400
 
Minimum turning radius 4.5
 
Minimum ground clearance 150
 
CAPACITIES

Seating capacity  4
 
Luggage capacity Max. Volume (l) 774
 
Rear seatback folded (VDA method) (l) 367
 
Rear seatback raised (VDA method) (l) 129
 
Fuel tank capacity (l) 35
 
ENGINE
Type K10B
 
Number of cylinders 3
 
Number of valves 12
 
Piston displacement (cm3) 996
 
Bore x stroke (mm) 73.0 x 79.4
 
Compression ratio 11.0
 
Maximum output (PS/kW/rpm) 68PS/50/6,000
 
Maximum torque (Nm/rpm) 90/4,800
 
Fuel distribution Multipoint injection
 
TRANSMISSION
Type 5MT
           4AT
 
Gear ratios

 1st 3.454
        2.875
 
2nd 1.904
         1.568
 
3rd 1.280
        1.000
 
4th 0.966
        0.698
 
5th 0.815
 -
 
Reverse 3.272
                 2.300
 
Final gear ratio 3.650
                                 4.375
 
CHASSIS

Steering Rack and pinion
 
Brakes Front Ventilated disc
 
Rear Drum, leading and trailing
 
Suspension Front MacPherson strut with coil spring
 
                         Rear 3-link rigid axle with coil spring
 
Tyres 155/65R14
 
WEIGHTS
Kerb weight (min./with full options) (kg) 855/885
                                                                                      880/910
 
Gross vehicle weight (kg) 1,250
 
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed (mph) 96
                                                  93
 
0-60mph (sec) 14
                               17
 
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

Emission standard compliance Euro5
 
Fuel consumption (Combined) (litres/100km) 62.7
                                                                                                 53.3
 
CO2 emissions (Combined) (g/km) 103
                                                                         122