17.4.2012 New Suzuki Alto achieves 65 mpg

Susuki's 2012 Alto model is on sale now, with improvements including the addition of Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) for greater fuel economy and improved CO2 emissions.

With manual transmission, the 2012 Alto emits just 99 gCO2/km, and combined fuel economy rises to 65.7 mpg. The new sub 100 g/km figure introduces exemption from London's congestion charge scheme and means VED road tax is free, both in the first year and thereafter.

The new Alto is sold in a five door body style, with a choice of three grades of specification: SZ, SZ3 and SZ4. All model variants fall into insurance group 4E, keeping the cost of ownership low. The latest SZ model version can be purchased for an on-the-road price of just £6,995.

The Alto shares the highly efficient 1.0-litre 3-cylinder K10B petrol unit with the European built entry-level Splash model. This Euro 5 compliant 12-valve engine is light and compact with low friction characteristics and has a maximum power output of 50KW/68PS at 6,000rpm; Dual VVT (Variable Valve Timing) for both the inlet and exhaust camshaft is now included for greater flexibility.

The engine achieves a maximum torque of 90Nm/66lbft at 3,400 rpm, an EC combined fuel consumption of 65.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of only 99 g/km (with manual transmission). These figures make the Alto one of the cleanest petrol-powered City cars on sale in the UK.

The optional automatic transmission equipped higher-spec SZ4 version has managed to reduce its emissions from 122 g/km down to 118 g/km, compared to the previous Alto model. This has resulted in a lower VED tax band, and a drop from £95 annual cost down to £30 annually and free in the first year.

Alto is manufactured for Global markets at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar assembly facility near Delhi, India. Suzuki achieves annual sales of 50,000 units in Europe of which around 7,000 are sold annually in the UK market.

Maruti Suzuki India, in which Suzuki Motor Corporation has a 54% stake, is India's largest carmaker with a current domestic market share of 50% and celebrated its 28 year anniversary in December 2011. More than 10 million Suzuki cars have been produced and sold in India since the launch in 1983 of the Maruti 800, India's first affordable world-class car. There are over four and a half million Alto's currently on the roads in India.

The latest Alto model incorporates a newly designed interior colour and fabric trim, new full wheel covers for SZ and SZ3 models and dipping rear view mirror. Glistening Grey metallic has also been added to the range as an optional colour.

The Alto is offered with both a five-speed manual gearbox, as well as an optional four-speed fully automatic transmission, a proposition not often seen in the A-segment. Visit your local dealership to arrange a test drive, all Alto models are covered by a three year/60,000 mile new vehicle warranty.

Newspress