Five top features of Maruti Alto 800

New Delhi, Oct 16: India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has finally launched the much-awaited Alto 800, the refurbished model of its best-selling car, the Alto. The new Alto 800 promises better engine performance, best-in-class mileage and improved interiors.The Alto petrol is priced between Rs 2.44 lakh to Rs 3.19 lakh ex-showroom Delhi) while Alto CNG will cost you Rs 3.19 lakh to Rs 3.56 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).The company expects the model to attract a large number of first-time young buyers who want more features, styling and quality. Alto, which has been the best-selling car on Indian roads for a number of years, recently saw sales dipping due to lesser demand for petrol cars. But with the new Alto 800, the company expects sales to go back to the original levels along with some incremental volumes. India TV Auto takes a look at top five features of the new Alto 800.1. Visual appealThe Alto 800 is a visually appealing car that has enhanced its looks to give more value for money. The new Alto 800 takes the evolutionary approach in terms of offering modernity without losing the essence of simplicity. The new Alto 800 has been an all-Indian development and has been made catering to specific needs of Indian consumers. The new car sports significantly small overhangs at the front and the rear like: petal shaped headlaps, larger tail lights, and 12-inch tubeless tyres. The car looks more mature, mass appealing and in tune with its time.2. Improvements under the bonnetThe new Alto 800 has done some major changes under the hood. Maruti has re-engineered its engine to add more power, torque and fuel economy to its current model. The new Alto 800 is powered by slightly technologically advanced F8D-3 cylinder, 796cc petrol engine, that gives enhanced peak power to 49 PS (up from 47 PS) at 6,000 rpm. At the same time, the new model delivers more torque, an additional 15 per cent over the F8D model, with 69 Nm of peak torque instead of 62 Nm. Fuel injection is standard and the engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. The company has also improved its gearbox with detent pin technology and diagonal shifting. This means that shifting from gears like 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th will be effortless. The company claims that even with three adults aboard, the Alto 800 managed to pull in all its gears, thus making it peppy in town. It also claims to attain the 0-100 kmph acceleration in about 18.5 seconds.3. Fuel efficiencyThe new Alto 800 comes with various engine tweaks that add to more power, torque and fuel economy. The compression ratio of the engine has been changed along with lightweight pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft. These changes will improve the overall fuel efficiency – at 22.7kmpl! as compared to 19.73kmpl (ARAI figures) registered by its outgoing predecessor. Thus, expect a real world mileage figure of about 16-17 Kmpl in the city while highway runs should see an average of 20 Kmpl. The CNG version of model is promised to deliver mileage to the tune of 30.46km per kg of CNG, which makes it one of the most economical to operate not to mention one of the cleanest small cars there is in the country.4. Interior styling and spacingThe Alto 800 gets a brand new dashboard and center console that is impressive and at par with other models. The new Alto comes with a bolder center console and basic instrument cluster which houses the speed-o-meter in the center. The dashboard is raised at the centre to accommodate the new aircon vents. The side aircon vents are now circular. The steering wheel is all new and now has three-spokes with some silver bits. Other major noticeable improvement comes in form of raised roof line and thinner front seats that liberates a bit of space on the inside. Thus, the cabin of new Alto 800 feels roomier, as a result. The front seats of the car have the headrest integrated into the seat itself. 5. Complete packageReports suggest that the new Alto 800 offers smooth rise with good maneuverability in busy city conditions. Besides appeal factor, its easy of use makes it a tough competitor among the similar models.Pricing: Maruti Alto 800 Variants Price (ex-showroom Delhi)Petrol- base: Rs 2.44 lakhPetrol LX: Rs 2.76 lakhPetrol LXI: Rs 2.99 lakhCNG Base: Rs 3.19 lakhCNG LX: Rs 3.37 lakhCNG LXI: Rs 3.56 lakhTechnical specifications: Engine: 796ccPower: 48PSTorque: 69NmTransmission: 5 speed manualDimensions: (LxWxH)mm 3395x1490x1475Wheelbase: 2360mmGround clearance: 160mmTread (front - rear)mm: 1295-1290Minimum turning radius: 4.6mGross vehicle weight: 1185kg.