Recently, Maruti Suzuki went into the depression mode after its market share in India went below 50 per cent for the first time in history. India’s largest selling car maker, however, did not sit quiet. It instead worked harder and launched plenty of new cars. It launched a new Maruti Alto (the Alto K10), an automatic version of the A-Star and CNG variants of five of its most popular cars, the Alto, WagonR, SX4, Estilo and Eeco. This article, however, contains a note each on the new Maruti Alto K10 and its top 3 competitors. Read on!

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

The newly launched sibling of Maruti’s and India’s bestseller Alto has been christened Alto K10. With its more appealing design and outstanding performance, the new car has vowed to set the roads in ablaze. The car comes in four variants, the LXi and VXi and both these in metallic versions. The much hyped about K-Series engine has been plonked in the new car. The 998cc 3-cylinder motor that spews out an impressive 67 bhp has been mated with a 5-speed manual slush box with cable gear shift. The McPherson Strut in the front and Coil Spring suspension at the rear offer the required stability. With features like a child safety lock and a high rigid monocoque frame made of high tensile steel, safety surely does not take the back seat.

Chevrolet Spark

General Motors modified the Chevrolet Matiz hatch to create a spark on the Indian roads. That’s how the Chevrolet Spark was born and it sure poses strong competition to the new Maruti Alto K10. The Spark is available in the following versions: 1.0, 1.0PS, 1.0LS, 1.0LT, 1.0PS LPG and 1.0LS LPG, and they also come as metallic variants. The Chevy Spark is draws power from a 1.0L engine that expels 63 bhp and a peak torque of 90.3 Nm. This engine is coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox which is standard across all variants. The ergonomically designed interiors of the Spark, with cosy seats and the speedometer and dashboard being appropriately placed, are worth a mention.

Hyundai i10

19.81 seems to be the most fitting number when speaking of the Hyundai i10. 19.81 kmpl is the mileage that this high performance automobile delivers. Meanwhile, the new Alto K10 delivers an overall fuel economy of 20.2 kmpl. That’s quite close and the competition between the two can be real tough. Indians have a choice of 20 variants when it comes to the Hyundai i10. However, there are just two main variants, the iRDE and Kappa. Additionally, the variants can be divided into 5 categories; D-lite, Era, Magna, Sportz GLS and Asta. The 2 engines choices are: 1.1L iRDE I4 and a 1.2L I4.

Ford Figo

The Ford Figo is one of the latest hatchbacks that Indians have very warmly accepted. On the other hand, response for the Alto K10 is yet to be gauged. The Ford Figo is available to car buyers in both the petrol and diesel forms. The car’s 1.2L DuraTec petrol engine has a maximum torque of 102 Nm at 4000 rpm while the 1.4l Duratorq diesel engine has a peak torque of 160 Nm at 2000 rpm. To add to the powerful yet lovable Figo’s power, Ford has embedded in it a host of safety features like A/C with heating, front power windows, an adjustable driver seat, a Bluetooth phone interface and much more.

Deepthi Alvares

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