Meet the brand new Suzuki Alto, a compact city car that even has hybrid technology on board.
‘The Alto no longer exists in Europe, does it?’, we hear you think. Knocks like a bus. Suzuki introduced the Celerio to the European market in 2014, a car that replaced the Alto in our regions. The Celerio was a city car developed and produced by the Indian branch of Suzuki that actually had nothing to do with the Alto that Suzuki sold in its home country of Japan. That Japanese Alto was never delivered in Europe and was a real Kei car that was no less than 18 centimeters shorter and 11 centimeters wider than the Celerio. That Japanese Alto was followed almost simultaneously with the European introduction of the Celerio by a somewhat retro-designed new Alto. That model is now handing over its baton to what is considered the ninth generation Alto in Japan. The new Alto also follows shortly after Celerio news, Suzuki recently presented a second generation of that model in India, although it will not come to Europe this time.
Previous generation Japanese Suzuki Alto (as Turbo RS)
Back to the Alto. The latest Suzuki Alto is again a Kei car, which means that it benefits from tax benefits, among other things, thanks to limited exterior dimensions and a small petrol engine. Exact dimensions of the model are still missing, as are extensive technical data, but in order to fall into the Kei-car class, the model must in any case be no longer than 3.4 meters and wider than 1.48 meters. The engine may be a maximum of 660 cc and no more than 64 hp.
Suzuki speaks of the presence of hybrid technology, but you do not have to count on a full hybrid powertrain. The Alto does get a mild-hybrid machine on board. Other Kei-Suzukis already have mild-hybrid technology, such as this Solio and Hustler. Undoubtedly, the new Alto also has a 64 hp and 98 Nm and 658 cc three-cylinder on board, which is supported by a starter generator.
In the design of the new Alto, some influences from its predecessor can be observed, although we only see them in the design of the headlights. The brand new Alto looks noticeably less outspoken than the stubborn model that was introduced in 2014. In the interior we observe, among other things, a simple but cheerfully decorated instrumentation and an infotainment system – available at an additional cost.
We must disappoint anyone who is charmed by this small practical Japanese. The new Suzuki Alto will not come to the Netherlands either.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl