Maruti Suzuki may launch new Alto K10 hatchback in January 2015

Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch the new Alto K10 compact hatchback this fiscal year. The company is currently testing this new vehicle and the launch is rumoured to happen in January 2015.

The new Alto K10 is expected to borrow design cues from the Celerio, which has been  a successful product with waiting periods running into months. It is an obvious strategy to carry the same design language of the Celerio to its largest selling vehicle to attract many new young buyers. The new Alto K10 will also get the automated-manual transmission (AMT) technology that has seen success with consumers seeking driving comfort in traffic-heavy urban markets. 

“The new Alto K10 will be launched around January 2015. The design has completely been changed and it will now offer more space, more modern interiors as well as the AMT auto gear technology,” said a source to FE. But there is no written or official word as yet.

The Maruti-Suzuki Alto K10 is a volume gainer for the manufacturer and is also exported to various international markets like Africa and South America. Hyundai recently launched a 1.0-litre engine for the Eon that directly competes with the Alto K10. Introduction of a new model completely makes sense in the long term, but will the Indian consumers accept these major changes to this car? Only time will tell.