Next generation Maruti Alto to launch by year-end - Report

Auto Today reports that the next generation Maruti Alto will launch by the year-end. The new model, which will carry an extensively revised aesthetic package, will be available with a BSVI-compliant engine and all the features that are required to adhere with the stricter safety norms that will roll out later this year.

It may be noted here that other than attaining compliance to BSVI emission norms, which come into effect from 1 April 2020, from 1 October 2019, all car models need to adhere with the updated safety standards set under the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) to remain on sale.

Currently, the Maruti Alto is available in two petrol engine variants - 0.8-litre and 1.0-litre. The F8D 796cc three-cylinder engine produces a maximum power of 48 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 69 Nm of peak torque at 3,500 rpm. The Alto K10, which features the K10B 998cc three-pot motor, offers a maximum power of 67 bhp at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 90 Nm at 3,500 rpm. While the former is available only with a five-speed manual transmission, the latter is even on sale with an optional five-speed AMT.

Reportedly, however, the next generation of the Maruti Alto would be propelled by the R06A 658 cc three-cylinder unit that powers the JDM-spec model. For the Japanese iteration, it produces a maximum power of 50 bhp and a peak torque of 63 Nm. It offers a remarkable fuel efficiency of 37 km/l (JC08 test cycle). The next-gen Alto is expected to share the fifth-gen HEARTECT lightweight platform with the 2019 Wagon R.

Due to these forthcoming updates, several slow-selling or outdated models, which their respective manufacturer would find unfeasible to upgrade, will be taken off shelves. From Maruti Suzuki's lineup, the Omni and the Gypsy, both of which were first launched more than three decades ago, will go out of production.

[Source - indiatoday.in]