News Release
Thrifty New Suzuki Alto Arrives in New Zealand with Good Value Pricing
23 September 2009
The least expensive new car on the New Zealand market is not only one of the most environmentally friendly motor vehicles but also one of the most fuel efficient.
Suzuki’s all-new five-door Alto hatchback has arrived on the twentieth anniversary of the launching of the original version of one of the best known small cars.
The latest seventh generation Alto is a far cry from the 1979 Alto SS80 which was assembled at the Suzuki plant in Wanganui.
The newest rendition is larger, stronger and safer, and more highly specified, yet uses less fuel and boasts lower emission levels. It is the only car in its class with six air bags as standard.
There is clear lineage, however, between the first generation Alto and the European inspired 2009 model.
Both are front wheel driven and are powered by three-cylinder engines, although the new Alto has a larger capacity motor producing more power.
In 5-speed manual gearbox form, the stylish Alto has a recommended retail price of $16,990, including on road costs, while the four-stage automatic transmission version is $18,500.
“Alto will redefine the term ‘value motoring’ with the lowest new car price currently available,” said Gary Collins, Automobile Sales Manager for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.
“Not only is the Suzuki $1,000 less than its nearest rival, it has two more air bags, superior fuel economy and far lower emissions,” he said.
“Rarely has a model been released that so clearly sets new standards in value, safety and economy,” said Collins. “While this section of the market is relatively small, we believe we can bring new customers to the segment.”
These aspiring buyers would recognise the Alto’s strong fuel economy, environmental and safety benefits, he said.
Aerodynamic styling translates into low wind noise and efficient operation while engine noise is well suppressed for enhanced occupant comfort.
The distinctive body shape majors on a smooth front end, large windscreen and bold headlamp design, elements that contribute to a low drag coefficient of 0.30.
“This is the most aerodynamic car ever produced by Suzuki and a more efficient shape than exotic sports cars such as the Ferrari F430,” said Collins.
New Alto is the fifth and smallest member of the Suzuki world strategic models and, with an overall length of 3,500mm, is only marginally smaller than the top-selling Suzuki Swift.
The concept was to build an eco friendly car with low CO2 emissions, low fuel consumption and lightness through downsizing.
At the same time, the car had to be smartly designed and embody a roomy, comfortable cabin with a good level of appointment.
One specification level is available in New Zealand in a package that includes power steering, electric operation for the front windows, air conditioning with pollen filter, digital clock, six air bags, front seat belt pretensioners, anti lock braking with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) function and brake assist function and full size spare wheel and tyre.
The Alto comes with halogen multi-reflector headlights, two-speed wipers with intermittent action, two trip meters and a rear window wiper and washer.
A stereo audio tuner with compact disc/MP3 and auxiliary input socket for MP3 player is also standard.
Fully integrated into the fascia, controls for the sound system are located high in the centre of the dashboard for ease of operation and safety.
There are door pockets front and rear, two cup holders and two bottle holders plus a deep open compartment on the left side of the dashboard.
Adding to the car’s security the centralised door locking system has a double lock arrangement - one click of the remote locking key unlocks the driver’s door while two clicks unlock all four doors. The remote controlled door locks also have a hazard flasher answer-back, and automatically operate the interior lighting.
Typical of the thoroughness of the design is the soft glow illumination of the centrally located fascia eye or sun glasses/oddments compartment for added convenience during hours of darkness.
The user-friendly Alto majors on comfortable front bucket seating, a compact turning circle, height adjustable steering column and light, positive rack and pinion steering.
While most of the cabin space is apportioned to the front seat occupants, there is ample rear seat accommodation for a further two adult passengers. General front seat adjustment allows plenty of room for the tallest of drivers.
Tinted glass is standard and the rear seats are split folding with a removable rear parcel shelf to hide boot contents from prying eyes. Load capacity of 129 litres increases to 367 litres with the rear seats folded forward.
To reflect the Suzuki TECT - Total Effective Control Technology - the Alto body has crushable structures that absorb energy, frame members that disperse impact energy away from occupants and a strong cabin structure.
High-tensile steel for major body parts means the resulting high level of occupant safety does not add excessive weight to the body.
In manual gearbox form, the car has a curb weight of 855 kg, rising to 880 kg for the automatic. The Alto scored four stars in recent ANCAP safety ratings.
There are twin front air bags, plus side and curtain air bags, energy absorbing trim and a head impact protection pad. The brake pedal is designed to protect the foot in the event of an accident, and the car also includes ISO FIX child seat restraints, child-proof rear door locks, side impact beams front and rear and an engine immobiliser.
Alto’s new K10B double overhead camshaft engine is the result of three years’ development. This multi-point fuel injected three-cylinder unit has four valves per cylinder with an offset crankshaft offering better volumetric efficiency.
The motor has a relatively high compression ratio of 11.0 to 1 and plastic intake manifolds for reducing weight and suction losses, distributor-less ignition with dedicated plug top coils and an advanced injector for better fuel atomization.
With a piston displacement of 996 cm3, the K10B develops 50 kW of power at 6,000 rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm.
In the official combined fuel cycle test, the Alto manual averages 4.8 litres/100 km (58.85 miles per gallon), while the automatic versions achieves 5.5 litres/100 km (51.36 miles per gallon).
The car’s CO2 emission levels are a remarkably low 113 grams/km for the manual and 130 grams/km for the automatic model.
With automatic transmission, the Alto has a top speed of 150 km/h, rising to 154 km/h for the manual gearbox variant.
Ventilated disc brakes are fitted up front with rear drums, and the 14-inch diameter steel wheels are fitted with 155/65R tyres.
Front suspension is by MacPherson struts and coil springs, with a highly rigid suspension frame complemented by further strengthening in the strut mounting areas for better handling.
The rear suspension comprises Suzuki’s proprietary three-link rigid axle design which has been tuned for optimum handling and stability in extensive testing on European roads.
Alto sits on a 2,360 mm wheelbase, is 1,470 mm high, a trim 1,600 mm wide, and has 150 mm ground clearance.
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