Suzuki A-Star sets foot in South Africa

Sold with a 15,000 km service interval and a three-year/100,000 km warranty, the A-Star has been introduced in South Africa as the Suzuki Alto.

Our friend Scott from SA Car Fan tells me the Alto was displayed at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS), held last year weeks after the car's official debut at the Paris Motor Show. The Alto comes with the same 1,0-litre 3-cylinder 12-valve DOHC petrol engine which we Indians get, that produces 50 kW at 6,000 rpm and 87 N.m of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Entry level Alto GL

The entry level Alto GL offers driver and passenger front airbags; side-impact protection beams, ISOFIX child seat preparation; factory-fitted immobiliser; air-conditioning with pollen filter; tinted glass; halogen headlights and a full-sized 14-inch spare wheel as standard features.

Upmarket Alto GLS

The upmarket Alto GLS features 14-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, colour coded door handles and side mirrors, remote-controlled central locking, height adjustable steering wheel, electrically operated front windows and a 6-speaker AM/FM radio with single MP3 CD-player.

The Alto GLS also gets folding rear seats in a 50:50 split configuration. In terms of safety, you have everything you require - it is equipped with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) along with the safety equipment on the entry-level model.