September 26, 2002
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September 26, 2002 |
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2002 Paris International Motor Show | |
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The Suzuki Alto is a totally new car. It has a new platform, a new engine, , and new standards in terms of safety, economy and ecology. The up-to-the-minute design of the new Alto gives it an exclusive, thoroughbred character, which is rare on a 5-door city car. In fact, the Alto is currently one of the few models in its category that is available as a 5-door model. The Alto has retained the main qualities of the previous version: it is an economical, compact (3.50 metres long), agile car for getting through urban traffic with the greatest of ease. Many items of safety and comfort equipment are fitted as standard on the Suzuki Alto, giving it a very attractive equipment-to-price ratio. Suzuki's most noticeable work on the design and development of the Alto are in the areas of running economy and ecology. Protecting the environment as much as possible by producing ever cleaner engines is a major objective for Suzuki. To meet this industrial challenge, the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the new 1.1 litre engine are amongst the lowest in current car production: 119g/km. The Alto is currently one of the "cleanest" cars in the world. The low fuel consumption is also very impressive, with 6.5 litres per 100 km in urban cycle and 4.9 litres in combined cycle. In extra-urban use, the Alto delivers an astonishing 4.0 litres per 100 km. This is more economical than many diesel cars. The internal layout is particularly well designed. Passengers have numerous storage areas for personal items. These areas have been vary carefully thought out: storage shelves in the front doors, a money holder in the driver's seat, cup holders and a storage box in the central console. Although the body is compact (3.50 metres long), the cabin is spacious. The volume of the luggage compartment is 177 litres (VDA) when the back seat is up, which increases to 432 litres (VDA) when this seat is folded down (725 litres for a load from the floor of the luggage compartment right up to the ceiling). The 4.6 metre turning radius simplifies manoeuvring and parking and makes it easier to get through urban traffic. The Alto has very comprehensive equipment levels, including front driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection bars in the doors and pre-tensioned front seat belts as standard. ABS, air conditioning and metallic paint are available as options. The Alto has numerous items as standard for comfort and convenience including power steering, electric front windows, central door locking, internally adjustable external rear view mirrors, a vanity mirror, a split fold-down rear seat, and body-coloured bumpers, etc. Engine The new Alto has a new 16-valve four cylinder 1.1 litre petrol engine, with light alloy cylinder head, overhead camshaft and multipoint electronic injection. This engine provides a maximum power of 46 kW (62.5 bhp EEC) at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 85 Nm at 3200 rpm. This enables the Alto to reach a maximum speed of 155 kilometres/hour. |
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