Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch a new version of its small car Alto, the highest selling model in India, with a bigger engine.
According to industry sources, the company plans to launch the new Alto with a one-litre petrol engine from its latest generation of engine, the K -series. However there is no confirmation as to when the when a refreshed Alto would be launched and what kind of engine would be fitted on the new version.
The new Alto could come with a new face. Recently Maruti had introduced BS IV compliant Alto on the existing 800cc F-Series engine.
With a bigger K-series engine, the new Alto will be costlier than the existing Alto. The existing Alto is priced between Rs 2.29 lakh and Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Alto is the best selling car model in India averaging about 20,000 units per month. It has sold about 13.5 lakh units since its launch in September 2000.
The plan to launch Alto with a new engine is part of MSI’s strategy to equip its models with the latest generation K-series engine.
Maruti Suzuki offers two variants of the K-series engines — 998cc three-cylinder, ‘K10B’ fitted in A-star, Estilo, and the new WagonR and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder ‘K12M’ petrol engine powering Ritz, Swift and Swift Dzire.
Source: ET
