Maruti Suzuki launches facelifted Alto 800 at Rs 2.49 lakh

Maruti Suzuki India has launched an updated version of the Alto 800 at a starting price of Rs 2.49 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the STD variant. The new price makes it more affordable than the Renault Kwid which starts at Rs 2.62 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

This is the first facelift for the Alto 800 since its launch in 2012. The car carries forward the same 796cc three-cylinder engine and five-speed manual gearbox from the previous car. However, minor tweaks to the engine means that the Alto 800 now delivers an ARAI-certified fuel-efficiency figure of 24.7kpl against the earlier car’s 22.7kpl, an improvement of nine percent. Maruti has also added a new brake booster to improve the car's braking.

Changes to the exterior include a smaller nose grille, restyled headlamps and a new bumper, which now get housings for fog lamps. The new bumper has resulted in an increase in the car’s length, from 3,395mm to 3,430mm. Maruti has also added a passenger side wing mirror as standard equipment

In the cabin, updates include new seat fabrics and stowage spaces in the doorpads. Higher variants also get integrated headrests for the rear seats, a rear spoiler, remote locking and child-safety locks on the rear doors. A driver-side airbag is optional across all variants, but ABS is still not offered.

Maruti has also added two new exterior colours – Mojito Green and Cerulean Blue.

The facelifted Alto 800 rivals the Hyundai Eon, Renault Kwid and the upcoming Datsun Redigo, and is expected to be replaced by an all-new model in 2018.