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Maruti Alto K10 – Test Drive and Review

July 25th, 2010 under Test drive. 17 Comments
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pictures-test-drive-report-and-gallery/

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After a long time, we have to move our test drive report from slideshow to blog here. Coz we have
agreed to Maruti (like other publishers), pictures won’t be posted till the Alto K10 launch. Stay tuned.
Test drive pictures of Maruti Alto K10 will be posted here on its launch date. For now, enjoy the review

Alto may not be the car which earned rave reviews from auto critiques. It may not be the car which
everyone aspires to. Yet, Alto continues to stay at the top slot for the past five years in the competetive
Indian car industry. Maruti sells 20000+ units a month and it wants more. Alto was introduced in India in
2000 and it was considered as the natural successor to Maruti 800. Maruti Alto’s smaller footprint,
superior fuel efficiency and affordable price tag makes it a perfect package for first car buyers. Now,
Maruti wants to upgrade its customers with Alto k10 and cater the new customers who wants an
affordable car with commendable performance. Maruti tried the same in the past with an 1.1L engine, but
it didn’t went well with the customers. But Maruti considers the Alto k10 is different and it believes it will
bring new customers to its fold. Maruti targets customers of spark, santro and beat too. We drove the Alto
k10 from Bangalore to Nandi hills (5000 feet from the sea level).

Styling and Design:

Upgrading a popular car is a risky and challenging task for designers. Most choose the easier and
convenient path. Maruti designers are no exception. There are not much changes on the styling front. The
eagle eyed headlamps with a kink tells its a facelift and gives a different character to alto k10. The bonnet
is long to accomodate the larger K-series engine and ridges on the bonnet are strong and defined. The
hexagonal grille of alto is toned down with curves and chrome atop. Body coloured bumpers with larger
and wider dam gives the alto k10 a larger road presence which everyone would like. The swanky fog
lamps completes the upmarket front fascia.

Sadly, you may mistake the Alto K10 as alto if you look from the side. Except for the new 13″ wheels and
side body mouldings there is nothing to distinguish. The rear is completely different with new set of dome
shaped tail lamps. The number plate is moved from the bumper to the back of the tailgate. The defined
bootlid with center mounted Suzuki logo.

Engine and performance:

The major change is under the hood, Alto K10 gets the new K10 engine. The new but proven K-series
engine has already well received by the customers. A-star, Wagon-R, and Estilo have already proven. The
Alto K10 produces 68PS of maximum power at 6200rpm and 90Nm of maximum torque at 3500rpm.
Maruti claims it reaches 100kmph from standstill in 13.3 seconds. Maruti has replaced mechanical link
with the cable type transmission

Alto k10 is not just a paper tiger, it is powerful on the road too. For the weight increment of just 50kg,
Alto K10 is 45% more powerful than the Alto 800cc.Right from the word go, Alto K10 moves with

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confidence. Throttle response is lightning from lower speeds. The engine happily revs to 6200 where it
develops maximum power. Alto K10 reaches 60kmph from zero in 6.4 seconds and 100kmph in 15.6
seconds. I manage to cruise at 120kmph with ease, the engine doesn’t feel strained. However the NVH is
low, the engine cries as you rev hard. Also, the gear shift is still rubbery and not precise. Maruti claims
under standard conditions Alto K10 returns a mileage of 20.2kmpl. Though we cannot test the claim, we
expect a decent mileage from Alto K10

Ride and Handling:

Maruti has retained the same suspension set-up for the Alto k10. However the Alto K10 rides on larger
profile 155/60 R13″ rubber. The car absorbs road shock and undulations well at low speeds. But as the
speed raises, it insulates less and put the passengers directly in the line of shocks. Wheelbas remains at
2360mm though the length has increased by 125mm. The cabin remains the same, however Maruti has
intelligently gained space by shaving the back rest of front seats. Result, the rear passengers has 50mm
more knee room. All the seats comes with integrated head rest.

Maruti Alto K10 gets a new three-spoke steering wheel and comes with power steering. It is neither finger
touch nor tight. Gear lever and steering wheel doesn’t transmit vibration even at high speeds. For this
segment, Alto K10 sports commendable handling chracteristics. Out on the Bangalore highway, the
superior flat out performance is complemented by stable handling. On the twisties and hairpin bends to
Nandi hills, Alto K10 feels sure footed. We don’t expect an entry level car to behave like a Swift or
punto. For this segment, Alto K10 boast commendable handling characteristics. Credit partly goes to
lower body profile.

Features:

Power steering,internally adjustable ORVM, power windows for front passengers, stylish gear knob, key
reminder, remote boot opener,central locking,accessory socket and remote fuel lid opener. Alto K10
instrument panel comes with amber illuminated speedometer, tachometer and an electronic trip meter.

Plastic quality remains the same. Yet, the vibrant blue colour upholstery and colour coordinated door trim
fabric gives an upmarket feel. Storage space is decent – cup holders, twin glove boxes and door pockets.
Boot comes with a nice parcel tray. Build quality is also good.

Variants, colours and price:

Maruti Alto k10 will come in two variants – Alto k10 lxi and Alto k10 Vxi. Alto k10 comes in sunlight
copper (new colour), white, black and ecru beige. Maruti will sell the Alto K10 along with the Alto 800cc.
We expect a price increase between Rs30,000 – Rs40,000 for the new Alto k10.

Verdict:

Maruti Alto K10 is not based on a new platform. It carries forward the decade old chassis. The body
panels are not re-skinned completely, its just a cosmetic facelift. Whether its a lost oppurtunity? definetely
not. To understand the Alto k10, fit yourself into a first time car buyer. Alto k10 has everything, infact its
a no-compromise car. Alto k10 carries forward the trusted alto brand, lightning performance, superior fuel
efficiency and much need features. Maruti finds a sub-segment in the entry level car space. The pricing
will be competitive and it will surely add numbers to sales. Spark, Santro and other first time car buyers
better wait for Alto k10 before signing the cheque. Alto K10 will be launched in the first week of August.

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Maruti Alto K10 – Test Drive and Review | Vicky.in | Indian Automobile ... http://www.vicky.in/straightfrmtheheart/maruti-alto-k10-test-drive-and-re...

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Tags: alto, drive, features, k10, maruti, mileage, performance, price, review, speed, test, top

17 Responses to “Maruti Alto K10 – Test Drive and Review”

1 mano Jul 26th, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Maruti wouldn’t bother to do anything more than a minor facelift right now. The ‘real’ all-new alto
being stated for launch sometime next year.

I think this facelift is just so that they can be really positively absolutely sure the 1.0L K-series sells.
They have a hee-uuge capacity to produce this engine and the present sales of new wagonR-Astar-
estilo may not be justifying it completely.

New wine needs a new bottle

2 kolesh Jul 26th, 2010 at 4:04 pm

nice review but its half filled without pictures…

3 mahesh Jul 26th, 2010 at 4:09 pm

from the review i understand k10 is too good..but what about the price no mention on that

4 vinodh Jul 26th, 2010 at 8:06 pm

vicky… i have booked for a Chevrolet Spark.. what do you advice spark or Alto k10.. pls advice
urgent

5 moran Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:17 am

how long maruti go with alto,800 and estilo… Maruti time to bring new models

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6 car Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:17 am

Maruti Alto K10 is very glorious car……..

Right from the word go,Alto K10 move with confidence……….
Alto K10is not just a paper tiger,it is powerful on the road………………..

7 car Jul 27th, 2010 at 11:29 am

Alto K10 is very glorious car………… It is very powerful on the road……….

Gear lever and steering wheel doesn’t transmit vibration even at high speeds…………

8 sp Jul 31st, 2010 at 10:11 am

Kindly update photographs of Alto k10 with interior and exterior details.
Thanks.
good job….

9 maruti800 Jul 31st, 2010 at 2:35 pm

maruti800 is so old model. but that time it is so glorious car it is very powerful on the road
how long maruti go with alto,800 and estilo… Maruti time to bring new models

10 Manoj Jul 31st, 2010 at 3:13 pm

Vinodh,

go ahead with Spark, its good car.

11 Alto_K12 Aug 2nd, 2010 at 11:06 am

missing safety features airbags, ABS

Missing new transmission assembly
Missing new suspensions

Whether Vxi comes with alloy + tubeless need to wait & c

Overall price increase of 40-50,000 may not justify the face lift as far as K10b is concerned if first
timer can distinguish he/she may go for more features + approx same mileage may B i10 / Spark /
Santro / Estilo / Wagno-R

12 Pankaj Aug 4th, 2010 at 11:42 am

I’m confuse by choosing for my first car, my choices are Wagan R, Alto k10, Spark and i10 pl
suggest.

13 Dushyant Aug 4th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

Guys, nothing beats a spark! Great build quality / great value for money / great drive!

Maybe the new Alto with a 1000 cc engine will make for a peppier drive but still, in looks and
overall package you get more value for money with a Chevy Spark.

Whoever’s buying a Spark…just do it!

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14 Krishna Aug 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pm

This is for Pankaj, Alto, the driving position for taller people is too low resulting in knee pain during
longer drives. Spark, as far as my experience goes, has poor mileage. Estilo lags power. WegonR
develops lot of body noise after about 40000 km. The best one of the lot is i10 Kappa.

15 keller Aug 4th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

New Alto, me think its not for city dwellers but more for rural. spark is safer and better, imagine
putting a new driver on a fast machine in city.

City dwellers should buy spark or nano

16 R Prasad Aug 6th, 2010 at 9:04 pm

can anyone tell me about this k10 engine it is 3cylinder and givng 68 bhp. is it reliable because if it
is four cylinder the power will be good and reliable i think so if any one has any suggestion about
this please do write thks……

17 hs Aug 17th, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Don’t go for chevrolet spark , just blindly go for alto k10

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