New Maruti Alto K10 launch early next week

Published October 1, 2014
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Alto K10 gets fresh styling, lighter and more efficient engine and an AMT gearbox option; bookings commence

The new Maruti Alto K10 has come like an unexpected storm this past month with little about the baby hatchback trickling in before we drove the car. But soon enough, the car is well and ready and coming to showrooms early next week as Maruti plans to launch the car next Monday. The Alto K10 will take on the likes of the Hyundai Eon 1.0 and Datsun Go in this segment. We expect Maruti to price the Alto K10 keenly, in the range of Rs 2.8 lakh to Rs 3.6 lakh, comfortably undercutting its rivals.

While the new Alto K10 shares its roof and door with the Alto 800, every other part of the sheet metal is new. The car has a bolder design than the K10 it replaces and it also gets larger 13 inch wheels. On the inside as well, the Alto K10 has more palatable interiors and a few extra features as well.

Crucially, Maruti has further improved the 1.0-litre K-series all aluminium engine under the hood. The engine makes 68PS of peak power, which is on par with its rivals and considering it’s a 755kg featherweight, it makes for a sprightly little car. The engine is lighter and more efficient than before too. Maruti claims an ARAI certified fuel economy figure of 24.07kmpl. In the real world, it will easily return in the range of 20kmpl. This frugal engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Like the Celerio, Maruti will also make available the AMT transmission with the new Alto K10. This gearbox has been a popular choice among Celerio customers and in the Alto K10, it becomes more affordable. It makes the Alto K10 the cheapest automatic to purchase in India.