Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Review

The small car segment has been the most important segment in the Indian car market, since the time the first car of that size, M800, was introduced here – and it is still available in most part of the country.



The Maruti M800 is on offer in India for last 28 years (1984 to 2012). Over this period the company has sold over 2.5 million units, with one major update (1986) and lots of minor changes as and when needed. Though the car is phased out from metro cities due to unavailability of BSIV engine, it is still available in the rural areas where it is sold in meager numbers. Since May there are rumours that Maruti has stopped production of the M800, but the company has denied them time and again. Next is the Alto. The success graph for this car is even steeper with the Alto holding the best seller title for over a decade.



However, with rising petrol prices and availability of options like the Hyundai Eon, Maruti’s grip on this segment is loosening. The solution was disclosed at the 2012 Auto Expo, without providing too many details. MSI MD, Nakanishi, confirmed that the company was considering a new car that will replace the M800 and the Alto in India, with up-to-date styling and technology. For a while it was believed that the Cervo will be the new Maruti small car for India. But then, our friends at OnCars snapped an all-new car from Maruti with minimal camouflage, divulging lot more about the company’s plans. The new car is called the Alto 800 and is expected to be launched in India during the coming festive season.



Though it would have been easier for Maruti to introduce the Cervo here, it would have been difficult to start at such a low price point to justify it as a M800 replacement. So what we have instead is a refreshed and pleasant looking small car based on the current Alto platform. The Alto 800 boosts of a new design philosophy, though it looks a bit like mixture of few others. At front is the new hexagonal air-dam that looks like the one on the Ford Figo and Renault Pulse. The headlamp cluster looks similar to that of the Hyundai i10, while the tiny front grille is unlike any other Maruti model. Despite the fact it is an entry-level car, it is not bland and there are prominent creases on both bonnet and the front bumper.



The rear of the new small car looks like that of the Hyundai i20 and it is nice to know that the Alto 800 gets a conventional boot-lid, and not like the one seen on the A-Star. From the side this car looks like a typical Maruti Suzuki with flared arches and noticeable straight shoulder line. The interiors of the Alto 800 are expected to be all-new, with better space management for more leg room. It also looks taller than both the Alto and M800, and this will help maneuvering it in city traffic.



The car is also expected to get a new 800cc petrol engine, which will be BSIV and BSV compliant with high efficiency figures. The prices of the Alto 800 are expected to start at around Rs 2.35 lakh for the base model that won’t even have an air conditioner – it will look to compete with the top-end Tata Nano Higher variants will compete with the Hyundai Eon, Chevy Spark, and Tata Indica Xeta and might also cannibalize the Alto K10, which will not be discontinued. Maruti Suzuki might also offer CNG variant at the time of the launch, as there is shift in trend with many buyers opting for premium models over entry-level cars for the diesel or alternative fuel options.



The Alto 800 will be launched around the festive season – between mid-October and start of November. There were worries that the launch might be delayed due to the recent labour riots at Manesar, but those have been put to rest by the company. This is expected to be the fourth big launch from Maruti in 2012 – we expect the Ritz facelift to arrive by the end of September. The expectations from the new Alto 800 are very high – knowing that it will replace the M800 and also the best seller for 12 years. Or then again, they will be very simple – decently looking, easy to run and maintain and most importantly value-for-money.

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Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Road Tests / First Drives

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 reviews, road tests and comparisons by CarWale Experts.

• Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 First Drive - Change of guard

  The old Alto is out and it is being replaced by a slightly modern looking, but more spacious and fuel efficient version. So how much better is it? 

Specifications Summary

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Colours

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is sold in the following colours in India.

• New Forst Blue
• New Blazing Red
• New Torque Blue
• New Granite Grey
• Silky Silver
• Superior White

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 in CarWale Forum

All Forum Discussions |More Alto 800 Discussions

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 in News

Latest Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 news from CarWale.

• Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 launched in Chile

  Maruti Suzuki is currently on an export spree to boost its income from India. We discovered recently that Mazda has tied up with Suzuki Indonesia to sell rebadged [...] - 15 May 2013

• Maruti sells over one lakh Altos 800s in less than five months

  Maruti Suzuki has managed to sell over one lakh units of the Alto 800 in less than five months. The A-segment car was launched as a successor to the base model [...] - 25 Mar 2013

• Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 to be launched in Nepal

  CG automobiles, authorised dealers of Maruti Suzuki in Nepal, have announced that they will launch the Alto 800 compact hatchback for the Nepali car market in the [...] - 26 Feb 2013

• Next generation Suzuki A-star to give 33kmpl!

  The next generation (Maruti) Suzuki Alto (A-Star in India) is slated to be more eco-friendly. According to a report from Just-Auto.com, the new model is expected [...] - 25 Feb 2013

• Maruti Suzuki to launch Alto 800 in Algeria

  Maruti Suzuki has announced that it will launch the Alto 800 for the Algerian car market in March during the 2013 Algerian Motor Show.  The Alto 800 was [...] - 22 Jan 2013

Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 User Reviews

Recent user reviews on Maruti Suzuki Alto 800.

• Good choice for low budget small family car from Maruti

  on Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 by B Subramanyam, 09-May-2013
  Exterior Awesome looks, front shape is extraordinary. Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) AC is good. Meter console is average. Finally. What is the truth is. one has to adjust [...]

• Fantastic car for middle class family!!

  on Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 by Navishpoonacha, 24-Apr-2013
  Exterior Okay not bad. Front view is superb. Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Sweet and simple. Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Good fuel economy with 20+ [...]

• Excellent Car

  on Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 by Mohan, 24-Apr-2013
  Exterior Looks good, I got my new car on April 13th and this is my first car. Excellent car and value for money. Right care for City ride.  Interior (Features, Space & [...]

• Engine is not good and not well tested

  on Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 by Rajaneesh Munaganti, 26-Mar-2013
  Exterior Good. Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Less space, car is for only 4 including driver , passengers on back can not sit comfortably. Engine Performance, Fuel Economy [...]

• Intellectual choice

  on Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 by Sachin, 16-Feb-2013
  Exterior Ok but maruti has scope 2 improve it Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Int is ok but has got good space ,plastic is better than old one but mariti should make it like [...]

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