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Suzuki Alto cheap as chips


You can now slide behind the wheel of a new Suzuki 1.0-litre Alto hatch from $12,490 for the well-equipped five-speed manual.

Suzuki Australia is pitching the newcomer right into the sub-light car segment ahead of other newcomers planned over the next 18 months.

General manager, Tony Devers, has big hopes for the newcomer, saying it has the potential to help grow a new segment ahead of the arrival of the Hyundai i10, Proton Saga and entrants from China. Hyundai is keen to see how this car goes but we dont want to give too much away with our expectations, he says.

But Devers is adamant the public mood is ready for the Alto. If economists are correct we could be paying $1.60 a litre for petrol by Christmas so there is an opportunity with cars like this, he says.

The Alto is not only a good proposition for budget buyers, but people with an eye for economy and the environment.

The car combines European style and outstanding environmental performance in terms of fuel efficiency and C02 emssions and has the potential to be a benchmark low-cost green car.

The Alto is already a hit in Europe and India, where demand is exceeding supply in the well-established light-car segment. Dever says this segment will grow in importance locally as petrol prices continue to rise and consumers look to make their dollar go further.

The smallest member of Suzukis range tips the scales at just 850kg and measures 3500mm in length and 1600mm in width and has a wheelbase of 2360mm. Its compact 9m turning circle is aimed at city streets.

It is only marginally shorter than the Swift, which measures 3755mm long and 1690mm wide. Despite its diminutive feather-weight size, high strength steel has been used extensively to deliver a four-star crash rating.

The Alto is powered by a Euro 4 compliant three-cylinder engine that develops 50kW at 6000 revs and 90Nm at 3400 revs.

Its combined fuel economy figure is a hybrid-busting 4.8 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 113g/km but the engine runs on more expensive premium unleaded.

Two models are available, the GL and GLX. Introductory prices start at $12,490 for the GL manual with the GLX manual $14,490. A four-speed automatic is an extra $2000.

Despite its low-cost entry, the micro-Alto gets standard safety features not before seen in the light car segment. All models get six airbags, brake assist and the GLX version adds electronic stability control.

The GL has air conditioning, CD stereo system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, anti-skid brakes and front electric windows. The GLX adds 14-inch alloys, foglights, a six-speaker sound system and tachometer. A full-size spare wheel is also standard.

Visually the Alto adopts the look of a small hatch with a bold front grille and large headlights.

The curved bonnet design and wedged-shaped body profile with a rising shoulder line along the rear door also provide a contemporary look while the steeply raked windscreen adds a sporty on-road stance.

At the back the truncated rear end has large high-set tail-lights and bumper.

Inside the front seats are built from the same frame as those in the SX4 and Swift. Front seats have an adjustable range of 240mm with a height adjustable drivers seat on the GLX. The rear seats split fold 50/50 with a small amount of luggage space.

The six-speaker CD stereo was specifically designed for the car to wrap seamlessly around the centre console.

A handy deep pocket ahead of the front seat passenger replaces the glovebox.

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