Suzuki Alto 2014 News

Shod with new low rolling-resistance tyres, the Alto’s fuel consumption has dropped to 4.7 litres per 100km with the manual transmission, a reduction of 0.1 litre. The tyres have also reduced the bowser burn for the automatic version, which has dropped 3.9 per cent to 5.3L/100km. Suzuki says the figures are particularly impressive, given the price, because from $12,490 the Alto is nearly a third of the price of any hybrid on the Australian market. And the new fuel figures – coupled with stronger supply -- should help the Alto have a bumper sales month in July, says Suzuki Australia spokesman Andrew Ellis. “We were a bit hamstrung the month before distribution-wise” Ellis says.  “But we’re expecting our best month yet for July.

His views have the support of the peak motoring body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.  About 30 importers in the FCAI importers group believe consumers have a right to be rewarded for going green. "It's got to be a reward basis but what those rewards are I don't know," Devers says. "It could be cheaper stamp duty or free parking in the city. If the Federal Government is keen about the environment and promoting green cars they need to show it." Devers acknowledges that he has a vested interest in the debate with the company's Alto light car being one of the lowest emitters of harmful C02 gases. "But we really need to open the discussion on this," he says. "We really need a benchmark, whether it's on fuel efficiency or emissions... perhaps anything under 130g/km in CO2 emissions." Devers also argues that Australian motorists are being denied some of the newer fuels available in Europe that lower emissions. "All this has to be put on the table and thrashed out," he says. The FCAI chief executive, Andrew McKellar, says the group is working through that process now. "We know other governments around the world use incentives and we need to look at that," he says.  The importers' push comes as the FCAI revealed this week that the average carbon dioxide emissions of Australia vehicles is now the lowest on record. The FCAI says improved engine technology has helped cut the average CO2 emissions.  The 2009 National Average Carbon Emission figure is 218.5 grams of CO2 per kilometre, down 1.8 per cent compared to the 2008 figure of 222.4 grams of CO2/km. All new cars, off-roaders, light commercials and buses up to 3.5 tonne are used to calculate the NACE figure.  The FCAI's original target was to reduce emissions from new vehicles from an average 252.4g/km in 2002 to 222g/km by the end of this year.  McKellar says the FCAI is now focused on achieving further reductions by 2015 and 2020.

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.Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.

The baby Suzuki Alto trailed a five-star pack led by the new Audi Q5 in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing but the local importer says it is not worried by the result. Instead, Suzuki Australia is banking on a four-star tick once it is crash tested locally following its launch next month. "It wasn't our car. The Australian specification car is significantly different, with six airbags as standard and ESP available on the higher-range car," says Tony Devers, general manager of Suzuki Australia. "We've done some local research and ANCAP says it is most likely to get four stars. We're very confident it will be four stars. We're looking forward to having it tested here. We're confident." Devers says it's also important to consider the car's price and its likely competition. "People say it is compared to the Hyundai i20, but it should be against the i10 and some other small cars from Europe." Even so, Euro NCAP chief Michiel van Ratingen, highlighted the areas where the Alto is lacking. "The Suzuki Alto scored three stars, its rating limited by its performance in adult occupant protection, child protection and safety assistance technologies," he says. One of the Euro-focussed babies which could be on the list of Alto rivals is the Kia Soul, which picked up a five-star award from Euro NCAP. It is costlier but also cashing-in on the funk factor with young buyers. The Soul joined the Q5, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 and the Peugeot 3008, which is not planned for Australia, with the top five-star ranking. The latest Euro NCAP testing now includes pedestrian and child-occupant protection although, unlike Australia, there is no mandatory requirement for ESP stability control to qualify for a five-star score. '"At the heart of the new rating scheme is the objective to offer consumers a full picture of a car”s overall safety performance," says van Ratingen. "Many claim that the weight and size of a car is the only criteria for safety. We believe that there are other aspects of safety that are just as important. The smaller cars we tested whose results are released today show that size should not stand in the way of all-round safety.' "Euro NCAP would like to commend the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 for their impressive pedestrian scores that not only meet current requirements, but also meet Euro NCAP's future requirements. Seats from the Kia Soul achieved a good result in the programme's whiplash testing, again revealing that it is not only larger or expensive cars that achieve impressive results in safety." EURO NCAP SCORES Five stars: Audi Q5 Honda Jazz Hyundai i20 Kia Soul Peugeot 3008 Three stars: Suzuki Alto

Downsizing is the key to fighting the world recession, according to Suzuki’s Queensland base. Keith Williams CEO of Suzuki Auto Company said the Swift had been a major success for the Queensland importer and it would be joined in July by the slightly smaller Alto, the fifth and smallest in its fleet. "We have repositioned Suzuki with the Swift and we will continue with the Alto with good build quality and features in a compact fuel economical car that is at a good price," he said. "It pulls off some of the Swift selling features and puts it into something even more affordable and green." The bug-eyed and frog-mouthed Alto, which is the A Star from India, weighs less than one tonne. It is powered by a one-litre, three-cylinder engine producing 50kW of power and 90Nm of torque, sipping fuel at 4.5L/100km and pumping out only 103g of CO2 emissions per kilometre. Williams said the city car is also good on the freeway and had impeccable green credentials with 86.9 per cent of its components recyclable and 95 per cent recoverable. It will come in S and GLX trim levels in four-speed auto and five-speed manual. Alto will also be a leader in its class on safety with Electronic Stability Program as an option and six airbags (SRS dual front airbags, front-seat side airbags and dual curtain airbags). Much of the body and chassis is made of high-tensile steel to improve occupant safety. Suzuki in Queensland is 37.8 per cent down on last year, but Williams said they were still selling well. "Suzuki (Queensland) is unique because we had a meteoric rise in sales, quadrupling in four years," he said. "The market has come off about 25 per cent but we are still doing 300 per cent better than we were four years ago. "One year it went up 172 per cent mainly because of the Swift which is still a solid performer in the market several years later. "We've come down with the market but I think we are in a good position with small cars and the new Alto this year and the Kizashi coming next year." He said the mid-sized 2.4-litre Kizashi was another example of downsizing. "It was originally planned to come with a 3-litre V6, but that's been scrapped because of worldwide downsizing," he said. Williams said Suzuki would continue to concentrate on small-capacity, fuel-miserly, petrol-powered cars, but would not rule out other "green" powertrains such as hybrid. "Never say never in the auto industry, but more probably we will move into electric cars because of our work with electric wheelchairs and electric motorcycles," he said. "We have also done a fuel cell vehicle in collaboration with GM based on the SX4." Williams said Suzuki and Honda were the only two Japanese companies to make a profit last year. "That's mainly because of our involvement in India where they sold 750,000 cars last year," he said. "I think it (the Indian market) will roll up quicker than other markets because of the number of people there."

The fifth and smallest member of the Suzuki family is already on sale in Europe and hits local dealers late this year. Although prices have not been set, the Alto is expected to come in under the $16,490 Swift hatch. Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says the Alto will represent “outstanding value for money”. However, Suzuki spokesman, Andrew Ellis, says exchange rates will play a big part in determining the car's pricepoint. The Alto will be available in two specifications. The entry level gets six airbags, air conditioning, CD stereo system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, anti-skid brakes and six airbags. The top specification Alto adds alloy wheels, foglights, a tachometer and electronic stability control. At 3500mm long, the Alto is almost 200mm shorter than a Mini Cooper. It is slightly narrower than a Mini but 63mm higher and has a wheelbase of 2360mm, 107mm shorter than the Mini. Powering the Alto is a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 50kW and 90Nm mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic will be optional. The Euro IV-compliant engine delivers fuel consumption of just 4.5L/100km and produces only 103g/km of CO2 emissions. Manufactured in Suzuki's Manesar plant in India, the Alto was designed by Suzuki engineers and tuned for European customers based on an extensive test drive program. Already on sale in Europe, the little hatch has returned fuel economy figures of just 4.4 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 103 grams a kilometre. “Alto is the answer for people wanting a quality vehicle offering great performance, high levels of safety and outstanding fuel economy,” Devers says. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut type while the rear is a three-link rigid axle.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...