SUZUKI A-STAR LAUNCH IN PARIS MOTOR SHOW

Suzuki has launched the all-new Alto as the smallest member of its international line up of cars at the Paris Motor Show. Upping the cuteness quotient of the show with its pink paintscheme, surrounded by roses and gorgeous French ladies at the launch, Suzuki is hoping that the car will also make the company a serious player in the urban small-car segment in the long run.

The standout features of the car are its remarkable styling (inspired by Maruti Suzuki’s A-Star Concept unveiled earlier this year at the Auto Expo in Delhi) and strong performance in terms of fuel efficiency and emissions. The new Alto’s roominess on the inside despite its compact dimensions on the outside should also lure urban commuters towards it.

At the heart of its economical and eco-friendly nature will be Suzuki three-cylinder 1-litre petrol engine that is currently being seen in the Suzuki Splash in some international markets. The low-friction engine will play a major part in achieving the promised 22 kmpl fuel efficiency figure. The new Alto will be no slouch either, with 68PS of power and 90Nm of torque at its disposal. Power to the front wheels will be transmitted via a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a four-speed automatic gearbox option has also been made available considering the car’s in-city ambitions.

Apart from its taut and curvaceous exteriors, the car focuses on maximizing interior space for the front two seats while still accommodating two adults in the rear comfortably. Creature comforts will be aplenty on the European version of the car, which will come with six SRS airbags and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) option to ensure safety of the occupants. Rear bench comfort should be satisfactory as well, with Suzuki’s 3-link rigid axle design. At the same time, a high-rigidity Macpherson strut suspension has been incorporated at the front to offer precise and exciting handling as well. With an overall length of exactly 3.5 metres, a width of 1.6 metres and a turning circle radius of 4.5 metres, the car should thrive in packed urban traffic environs.

The car will be launched in Europe in Spring 2009 in Europe, and Suzuki expects to sell around 60,000 units in its first year. The new Alto is a part of the second phase of Suzuki’s new ‘Way of Life’ philosophy, according to which the company is focusing on dishing out cars that are economic and eco-friendly, but do not sacrifice on style, practicality and performance. After the success of the Suzuki Swift and the SX4 which formed a part of the first phase of this philosophy, Suzuki seems well on its way to delivering once again.