The much-awaited, much-hyped car launch has finally happened. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has launched the all-new Alto K10 in two variants, the LXi and VXi. The 998 cc engine that has been in talks for a long time finally makes its debut in the Alto K10. The car has been upgraded inside and out with new headlamps, a fresh radiator grille and enhanced interiors. So good to know that the car that delivers 20.2 kmpl, as Maruti Suzuki claims, is finally here.

The K10’s advanced fuel efficient three-cylinder engine spews out 67 bhp at 6200 rpm and a peak torque of 90 Nm at 3500 rpm. The car maker claims that the car can leap from 0-100 kmph in merely 13.3 seconds. Unlike the earlier Alto’s Lever Shift Mechanism, the 998 cc K-Series engine has been coupled with a 5- Speed Manual Transmission with Cable Gear Shift.

The Alto K10 makes its entry with a new cable transmission and tinted glasses. It has been stretched by 125 mm to have enough room for the new engine. Fog lamps are something extra we will get to behold in the new automobile. The rear fascia of the Maruti Suzuki Alto has suffered a minor facelift resulting in a fresher look. The back door has been newly designed and the new set of rear combination lights adds to the K10’s elegance. 13-inch tubeless tyres come as standard. The new car will be available in six dashing colours; Sunlight Copper, Fire Brick Red, Ecru Beige, Midnight Black, Superior White and Silky Silver.

As for the interiors, they show off a dual-tone finish and a new racy instrument cluster with tachometer, an electronic trip meter and a remote fuel lid opener. A vanity mirror and a rear parcel tray add touches of elegance to the car. The car also has front power windows. Maruti Suzuki has enhanced features in this new Alto. In case you forget your keys inside the car, never mind. Maruti has introduced an assistant in the car for you, the key reminder. The car also finally gets its Central Locking System. The K10 comes with a stylish 3-spoke collapsible steering column further making the driver’s life easy.

The Alto K10 has ample ground clearance of 160 mm and it finds no difficulty in quick turns and maneuvers. It has a turning radius of 4.6 metres. The Alto K10 is BS-IV, E-10 and ELV compliant. Now, let’s go to what we’ve yearned to know since long; the pricing. The Alto K10 LXi has been priced at Rs. 3.19 Lakh and the VXi at Rs 3.32 Lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). The introductory ex-showroom Delhi prices lie between Rs 3.03 Lakh (LXi) and Rs 3.16 Lakh (VXi).

“The Alto’s package of performance, fuel efficiency and attractive cost of ownership have together made it India’s most popular car. The Alto-K10 will take this forward,” said Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Managing Director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi. Maruti Suzuki is looking to advance its capacity expansion plans, Nakanishi said. Its second unit in Haryana is scheduled to come up by April 2012. Nakanishi said the company was working on ways to advance that to an earlier date.