Currently reading: Suzuki Alto revealed

New city car set for Paris show launch

Suzuki has unveiled its new Alto city car.

Based on the A-Star concept, the new Alto is to debut at the Paris motor show in October this year before going on sale early in 2009.

Suzuki claims that the new Alto is “a response to the needs of today’s motorists”, and as such it has been downsized to achieve a lighter kerb weight without compromising interior space.

There is no official word on the engine range, but expect a newly developed 1.0-litre unit with CO2 emissions below 110g/km.

As these images show, the stylish A-Star has been a big influence on the Alto, but many of the concept car’s sharper, more modern design cues have been lost in the move to a production model.No prices have been confirmed but expect the Suzuki Alto range to start at around £7000.

Vicky Parrott

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Zeddy 10 August 2008

Re: Suzuki Alto revealed

Stephen Guckel wrote:
Suzuki Motors have never made a 'bad' car. They have made cars that have been as, if not more, efficently reliable than any other car maker.

That isn't really true.

I sold Suzukis in the late 80's and early 90's. Anything built in their Santana factory in Spain was simply appalling.

My wife had a new Swift for 18 months.

The amount of faults on it was ridiculous. To cap it all there was a manufacturing defect with the rear axle that Suzuki knew only too well about as it had occurred on a lot of the Swifts.

Their Japanese built vehicles are excellent. I had a a Cappo, brilliant little car. Anything built elsewhere is rather average at best.


GD 9 August 2008

Re: Suzuki Alto revealed

AlexMB wrote:
Why do manufacturers excite us and tease us all the time with concepts that look young and fresh but when it comes to the road model - it's a let down. The A-Star concept looks like a car I, as a 23 year old, would be willing to drive. I saw the concept at the motor show. These pictures have really turned me off. I think it would be better suited to my gran now!!

How I sympathise with your comments. When I was young there were no concepts, probably better!

GD 9 August 2008

Re: Suzuki Alto revealed

"As these images show, the stylish A-Star has been a big influence on the Alto, but many of the concept car’s sharper, more modern design cues have been lost in the move to a production model."

So yet again a manufacturer shows a concept it has no intention of making, even if it is what the buyers want. It is time they noticed that the market economics have moved in favour of the buyer, who just will not buy if he is not offerred what he wants.