1. Introduction
Since the Suzuki Alto was launched in 1979, more than 7.3 million units have been sold worldwide, making this one of the most popular minicars ever made. A combination of agility, compactness, attractive pricing, and low running costs is largely to thank for the Alto's uncommon success.
Reflecting its commitment to continual improvement, Suzuki has now fully redesigned the Alto to better meet motorists' evolving needs and expectations. A new 1.1-litre engine realizes significantly lower carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions and more exhilarating performance. Updated styling creates a more refined, substantial appearance inside and outside. And higher levels of comfort, convenience, space efficiency, and safety make the new Alto more satisfying and reassuring in everyday use.
With its advanced new design, the Alto is sure to remain one of the most popular cars on the road-further proof that Suzuki remains a big force in the compact-car market.

2. The New Alto in Brief
Suzuki's design and development efforts for the new Alto fall into the areas of ecology and economy; performance; packaging; comfort and convenience; safety; and styling. Highlights are as follows:

Ecology and Economy
· The new 1.1-litre engine realizes uncommonly low CO2 emissions, making the new Alto one of the cleanest-running cars in the world.
· Fuel efficiency-an attribute for which the Alto is renowned-is now even higher, making the new Alto more economical to run.
· Weight-minimizing measures help to minimize the car's environmental footprint.
Performance
· Improved engine performance (maximum output is 46kW at 6,000rpm, and maximum torque is 85Nm at 3,200rpm) gives a more enjoyable driving experience plus practical benefits.
· A five-speed manual transmission and a three-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, each tuned for an optimal balance of performance and fuel economy, are offered.

Packaging
· More cabin space is realized within compact body dimensions; there is 177 litres (VDA) of luggage capacity with the rear seatback raised, and 432 litres (VDA) (725 litres as measured from the luggage floor to the ceiling) when the rear seatback is folded down.
· The minimum turning radius is now just 4.6 metres for easier manoeuvring and parking.

Comfort and Convenience
· More-comfortable seats minimize fatigue, so the driver and passengers feel fresher after every journey.
· Better noise-reduction measures realize a quiet cabin environment that promotes relaxation and conversation.
· Storage space is provided throughout the cabin by items including cupholders and front door pockets.

Safety
· A higher front hip point (made possible by an increase in overall height) improves safety by giving the driver better visibility.
· An impact-absorbing body structure based on an original Suzuki concept contributes to occupant protection.
· Dual airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners are standard.
· An available antilock braking system (ABS) enhances controllability.

Styling
· Updated exterior styling gives the new Alto a unique character with more presence and refinement.
· Brightly patterned fabric in the cabin creates a pleasant ambience that complements the cabin's spaciousness.

3. The New Alto in Detail

3.1 Ecology and Economy
As a compact, lightweight car, the Alto has always offered fuel-efficient operation-a reflection of Suzuki's keen environmental awareness. Now, the new Alto takes frugality and environmental compatibility to a new level.
Weight-reducing measures (the new Alto weighs only 805kg) not only contribute to agile performance, but also minimize the overall environmental footprint by enabling the savings of materials and other resources. The benefits are also reflected in superior emissions performance and fuel efficiency: The new Alto's CO2 emissions are as low as 119g/km (among the lowest yet achieved with a petrol-engine car). And its fuel consumption is equally impressive; litres per 100 kilometres with a five-speed manual transmission are only 6.5 in urban mode, 4.0 in extra-urban mode, and 4.9 in combined mode.
Suzuki's keen consciousness about environmental issues is reflected in other wide-reaching efforts by the company. The use of lead in painting processes has been discontinued at Suzuki's car and motorcycle plants in Japan. Parts are cleaned without the use of harmful chemicals. And emissions of paint thinner and other volatile organic compounds have been greatly reduced. Various innovative measures minimize water and energy consumption. A recycling programme minimizes waste material by turning bumpers and plastic bottles into new plastic parts for Suzuki vehicles. Cogeneration technology maximizes energy efficiency. And Suzuki is a leader in efforts to minimize harmful airborne emissions both from vehicles and from production processes. Suzuki's environmental efforts are so comprehensive that all four Suzuki plants in Japan and the Maruti plant that builds the new Alto in India have achieved certification in accordance with ISO14001-the global standard for environmentally safe production.

3.2 Performance
The new Alto is powered by a newly developed 1,061cc, in-line-four-cylinder, 16-valve, SOHC engine with multipoint injection. Producing maximum output of 46kW at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 85Nm at 3,200rpm, the new engine makes driving more enjoyable in all traffic conditions.
A five-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission and a three-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission are offered. With the manual transmission, the gear ratios are optimized to permit brisk response in town and quiet, economical running at high speeds. Maximum speed with the five-speed manual transmission is 155km/h. With the automatic transmission, the electronic control system contributes to fuel efficiency while minimizing shift shock for smooth, stress-free driving.
Improved performance capabilities have the further merit of realizing a towing capacity of 750kg, so the new Alto can haul a trailer carrying bicycles, motorcycles, or even a small boat. A 35-litre fuel tank gives an ample cruising range.
The suspension system employs MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front and Suzuki's original isolated trailing links and coil springs at the rear. Its design ensures a pliant ride and superior handling.

3.3 Packaging
Increased space efficiency makes the new Alto more functional and easier to drive than its predecessor and major competitors.
The body's overall length remains compact at 3,495mm, but Suzuki has created more interior space by lengthening the wheelbase to 2,360mm and increasing the overall height to 1,455mm. Also, a tight minimum turning radius of 4.6 metres makes manoeuvring and parking easier in tight spaces.
The new Alto's luggage capacity has been significantly expanded. With the rear seatback folded down, it provides 432 litres (VDA). When measured from the luggage floor to the ceiling, it is 725 litres. Even with the rear seatback raised, the Alto still offers plenty of room for a family's luggage, with 177 litres (VDA). The rear seatback has a split design that allows flexible use of the cabin space for passengers and luggage. Also, a large tailgate opening and an interior luggage-floor height of 784mm make the luggage area easy to access.

3.4 Comfort and Convenience
Human-oriented features throughout the cabin make the new Alto a more comfortable and relaxing means of transport.
Comfort is enhanced by several new features: The front seats have an improved design that provides firmer support and permits slide and recline adjustment. An increased interior height of 1,202mm contributes to a feeling of openness. And higher seats with a front hip-point height of 546mm give occupants a clearer view and make cabin access easier.

Convenience for all occupants is realized by an abundance of storage capacity for personal items. Sensibly located storage spaces include front door pockets; a driver's-seat ticket holder; cupholders; and a centre-console box.
Other features that contribute to comfort and convenience include power steering; front power windows; power door locks; an optional digital clock; a vanity mirror; a light-off reminder; a key-off reminder; green-tinted glass; a tailgate opener; a rear luggage cover; a fuel-lid opener; a three-position cabin light; and a cigarette lighter.

3.5 Safety
Although safety measures are vital in a car of any size, Suzuki believes they're particularly crucial in a small car. To provide all drivers and passengers with protection and peace of mind, therefore, the new Alto has a full complement of advanced active- and passive-safety technologies.
The new Alto helps to prevent collisions by allowing the driver to see hazards sooner. Visibility for the driver has been improved by an increase to 546mm in the front hip-point height (made possible, in turn, by the increase in overall height). Visibility is further enhanced by two-speed windscreen wipers with an intermittent function and by a rear-window wiper, washer, and demister.
Dependable braking performance is assured by front ventilated disc brakes and rear leading/trailing drum brakes, and controllability during hard braking on slippery surfaces is enhanced by an ABS.
The body structure is based on an impact-absorption concept that Suzuki developed using the latest computer-modelling techniques to minimize the transmission of shock to the occupants. Consisting basically of front and rear crushable zones and a rigid central cage, the body structure enables the new Alto to meet Suzuki's internal standards for occupant protection in an offset frontal collision at 64km/h. In addition, three-point emergency-locking-retractor seatbelts with pretensioners are supplemented by standard dual front airbags to protect the driver and front passenger. When necessary, the pretensioners instantaneously tighten the seatbelts to help restrain the driver and front passenger. At the same time, the airbags deploy to provide head and chest protection as the driver and front passenger are thrown forward.

3.6 Styling
Suzuki believes there's no reason why a small car shouldn't have great visual appeal and presence. Consequently the new Alto, has comprehensively updated styling that creates a unique character and conveys a clearer sense of quality.
Outside, more presence and refinement are realized by a large front bumper, by a boldly styled front grille with a chrome-look bar across its top edge, by flush-fitted headlamps and rear combination lamps, by styled wheel covers, and by other styling accents that include eye-catching contour lines on the doors and rear fenders. The new styling is complemented by a range of seven body colours: Superior White; Riviera Red Metallic; Bright Red; Sapphire Blue Metallic; Naples Yellow; Fantasy Black; and Cool Silver Metallic.
Inside, a pleasant ambience that complements the cabin's spaciousness is created by the use of brightly patterned fabric for the seat upholstery and door trim. A smoothly contoured instrument panel with legible, sensibly positioned controls further enhances the cabin's visual appeal for the driver.

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