K-10 Hatchbacks : Same But Different!

  • Mar 31, 2011
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One engine, one segment, four cars! There is no doubting the brilliance of the K10B engine, but how does Maruti Suzuki manage to keep all four models - Alto K10, WagonR, A-Star and Estilo - thrive despite their obvious similarities? ZigWheels brings all four K10 cousins together to find out

We've heard of shared engines and the likes, but in terms of sales and the sheer number of models it supports, Maruti Suzuki's K10B engine has few parallels in the Indian automotive scenario. Powering almost the entire A-segment range of the country's largest automaker, the K10B engine which made its debut with the A-Star has gone from strength to strength, finding its way into other models and creating a prolific display of variety, which now also includes the Alto K10, the new WagonR and the Estilo.

That being said, all the four aforementioned cars lie within almost the same price range. The company has been steadfast to deny any cannibalism as such - after all no matter what model the customer goes in for, it's another sale for Maruti Suzuki and a quick trip laughing to the bank. For the buyer however, the four models present a curious dilemma - same engine, similar specs, similar sized vehicles and tightly overlapping price brackets - which one is the one for them?

The team at ZigWheels was faced with a similar predicament while answering a bunch of queries from our readers, and decided to check out the four cars back to back to see how similar they really are, and where they differ. Fortunately for the buyer, and smartly for the company, each of the four cars has a strikingly unique appeal, and the bunch makes for very different cars. Here's what we found.

A-Star: Hot hatch ahoy!

Two years ago the pint-sized Maruti Suzuki A-Star made a big statement in more ways than one and for which it was also duly rewarded the 2008 ZigWheels Car of the Year award. Not only was it the first car from Maruti Suzuki stables to employ the efficient, emission-conscious and technologically advanced three-pot K10B powerplant, it also came well-equipped with safety features like ABS, EBD and dual airbags for the first time in the A2 segment. Being the second model from the second phase of Suzuki's world strategy plan, the A-Star offered something extremely fresh and different to the Indian buyers with oodles of cool quotient and jazziness without compromising functionality.

The car looks gorgeous in flesh and its design philosophy indisputably leaves imprints on the minds of the urban crowd. Unlike the conventional tallboy design, the round and curvy form of the A-Star is young and while some might find it to be a bit quirky for their taste, it's nothing less than a well-executed design helped by equally stylish and contemporary interiors. 

And by that we mean, a very neatly done dash with the tachometer dial resting right above the instrument console. The front seats are comfy and there is enough legroom on the front, even for lanky folks. But the rear seats are cramped and there is severe lack of space in the car including a very tiny boot. This puts focus on the largest and most fundamental difference that the new hot hatch has in contrast with its cousins - the A-Star is not exactly a car for the whole family but a very enjoyable and convenient mode of transport for urban couples or college-goers to get in and go shopping or clubbing!

Although the A-Star is more of a rock star than a teeny party-hopper! And I say so because even though the K10B powerplant pumps out a modest 67PS of power and 90Nm of turning force, the power delivery of the engine and the slick transmission unit coupled packaged inside the stiff chassis make the A-Star a complete hoot to drive. Surely then, the ride quality does take a hit with the stiff setup of the car, but it is not like the passengers are bouncing over every small dip and pothole. The steering wheel too feels a bit light but as one starts to go fast especially around bends, the A-Star's sporty character truly shines through and is bound to bring a big wide grin onto the driver's face.

And then there are modern-day safety features like ABS with EBD and dual airbags too in the A-Star to compliment its dynamic nature and poise.

With such first-class credentials of being a sportier, safer and looker of a car, the A-Star does attract a sizable amount of premium over the other K10B offerings. And the fact that Maruti Suzuki is producing the A-Star here in India and selling it across the global markets as the new Alto and also as the Nissan Pixo in few other markets points to the fact that world-class quality standards are being maintained in the Indian model as well. The cheeky aesthetics of the A-Star complimented by equally buoyant interiors and fantastic handling dynamics at its competitive price-point make it one of the best small cars in its class for the young and stylish urban dwellers.

Estilo: The chunky image-wagon

The Estilo name has a bit of history behind it. It begins with the Maruti Suzuki Zen, one of the most acclaimed handlers to hit Indian streets - a hot hatch that once fitted with Baleno engines to create the fabled B-Zens still manages to smoke other saloons on the race track. Once the Zen was phased out, it was replaced by the Zen Estilo - a cute lil Kei-style car that had nothing to do with the original Zen, especially in terms of its handling. The masses didn't quite warm up to the snub-nosed hatch, and soon it was time for Maruti Suzuki to recalibrate the Zen Estilo's position in the lineup.

Given that the WagonR of that time was almost at the end of its product cycle and all-new version was in the Maruti Suzuki works, it was time to put the platform to good use. Give it new clothes, and an all-new attitude. Off went the 'Zen' tag in the first move to detach the car from the nostalgia that the name brought along with it. The Estilo part stayed in the name, and the car has been known as such since. 

We now know the extent of skill and capabilities of Maruti Suzuki's in-house designers first with the A-Star concept and now with the all-new WagonR, the Estilo shows the same uncanny understanding of the Indian masses in terms of their design sensibilities. The redesigned fascia gives the Estilo a completely different look and appeal that is dramatically different from its predecessor. From being an almost-girly little car, the Estilo is now a chunkier, more substantial small car. In fact, it is one of the most sculpted, muscular and beefy A-segment cars in the country right now apart from the face-lifted Hyundai i10, which presents the Estilo as a great alternative to those for whom the other small cars appear a tad bit too cute.

On the inside, the sharing of parts between the four cousins is noticeable, save the subtle differences. The two tone dash, rear parcel tray and a digital fuel indicator, even the touch-screen JVC stereo system that is an accessory and does not come as standard on the car, but are seen adorning its fellow cousins. Seating is convenient for a small family, thanks to the tall boy stance, however, the positioning of the seats requires the passengers to sit rather upright. This becomes an added advantage in the case of many buyers, and sets the Estilo apart from at least the Alto K10 and the A-Star.

The closest cousin of the Estilo however remains the new WagonR - and to distinguish itself from the 2010 ET ZigWheels Entry-level Minicar of the Year, the Estilo does present a chunkier, beefier feel about it. While the two cars share their tall-boy stance, this factor seems to have been maximized in the WagonR which gives the car a slightly tinnier, boxy look. The Estilo on the other hand - thanks essentially to its fascia - comes across as a more stylish and brawny little car - a definite added advantage for the family man who wants to own and drive something that is a little more substantial.

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Wagon R: Tall boy goes to town!

Pretty much the most loved 'tall boy' here in India, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR has been around for quite a while now. While it did get a string of updates throughout its lifecycle, 2010 saw the most comprehensive makeover yet. The most welcome change however has taken place under the hood. Out went the 1.1 litre 4-cylinder unit and in came the 3-cylinder, 1-litre K-series unit. While on paper it might sound like a downgrade, it is anything but that. Even though the new engine gives up 63 cc and a cylinder to the old one, it still gains 4 PS on power and 6 Nm on torque. That's how effective the new K-series technology really is.

The K-series transplant has also ensured very good drivability. One can easily potter around in higher gears without really needing a downshift. The engine is mated with a new 5-speed manual transmission, which now is operated by cables as opposed to linkages. This is another move that brings the new WagonR up to speed with its upmarket competition, but more importantly it enhances the drive experience massively. Gone are the rubbery shifts as the new gearbox slots in with precision and reassurance - even when you shift at the car's exuberantly high revs. The new gearbox, Maruti engineers claim, will also reduce transmission losses and make the car even more fuel efficient.  I still recall driving the old WagonR really hard and upon reaching the upper limits of the power band, the engine really sounded coarse and unwilling. Nothing of that sort anymore. With vitamin K now, the new blue eyed boy loves being revved and at the same time feels extremely refined while at it. 

Ok enough about power, let's get to what vitamin K has done for efficiency. Well there is good news in that department as well. The WagonR's engine has been tuned for efficiency. With the well matched gearing and lower friction in the K10 unit, the WagonR easily ekes out 14 kmpl around town and close 18 kmpl on the highway. 

Keeping the new looks and interiors aside, the WagonR is a car transformed and a major part of that transformation is thanks to the brilliant K10 engine which indeed makes the WagonR the 'blue eyed boy'.

Alto K10: 

Phenomenal follow-up

Now the Alto has been a much loved car for quite some time now - a budget, yet more up-market alternative to Maruti 800, the car that put India on wheels. After many years of barely a change to this, the best selling car in the country, Maruti-Suzuki pulled a fast one and launched a fully upgraded version of the Alto with the brilliant 3-cylinder K10 engine - the latest of the company's cars to get one. And along with the other little updates on styling and interiors, what was once merely a good car has now become a great one.

 The Alto might be the smallest car of the K10 lot, but it definitely has many saving graces. It is these compact dimensions that makes the Alto K10 such a great option for a 2+2 small family car for crowded cities, even more than the other three to a certain extent. The car is tiny enough to maneuver through the heaviest of traffic and park in the tightest of spaces. But at the same time, the front has enough room to seat two adults fairly comfortably and there is ample space in the back for two kids or even two adults if the situation might demand so. The back seats, and even the boot, has more room than the A-Star, making the Alto K10 a far more practical choice.

But performance is where the Alto stands about the rest of the pack. The K10 engine combined with the ultra light 765kg kerb weight of the Alto means that the car really has some zip now. It is the quickest in a straight line when compared to its other K10-engined siblings and can make the dash to 100km/h from a standstill in just 16.5 seconds. The handling of the car is quite nippy as well, and it makes the drive certainly more fun than the both the WagonR or the Estilo, but of course can't match up to the almost go-kart like razor sharp handling of the A-Star.

But surprisingly, one department which suffers, even though the Alto is so light on its feet, is the mileage. Cruising on the highways at 90-100km/h is no problem, with the car returning a fuel efficiency figure of over 20kmpl. But inside the city, it's a whole different tale with that figure dropping to just 13kmpl. The overall mileage of 14.8kmpl is acceptable, but nothing to write home about really.

It's not hard to imagine that the Alto has the most youth appeal of all the K10 cars. It definitely looks extremely stylish with all its visual upgrades and has the most conventional, hence the most palatable, proportions of the lot as well. It is also the least expensive car here, priced at Rs. 3.16 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, making a great choice for young urban crowd buying their first car.

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