MARUTI SUZUKI ALTO K10

The humble but highest-selling hatchback gets more desirable now!

- BENJAMIN GRACIAS

MARUTI SUZUKI ALTO K10

► Engine: 998cc, inline three-cylinder petrol ► Power: 67PS @ 5,500rpm ► Gearbox: Five-speed AMT ► Fuel tank capacity: 27 litres ► Torque: 89Nm @ 3,500rpm ► Price: 3.99 lakh ex-showroom

Over 43 lakh Altos! That's a significant 0 number for a humble hatchback. In the 21 years of its existence, the Alto has been one of Maruti Suzuki's hottest selling models and the first car for millions of Indians. However, the game has moved on and so have the aspirations of first-time car buyers who are looking beyond hatchbacks for their first set of wheels. They want more features and a little more space won't hurt either. Maruti Suzuki seems to have taken cognizance of these trends with the new Alto K10, the third generation Alto that the carmaker claims is bigger and better than ever before. So does this new Alto retain the strengths of its predecessors while being more attractive to first-time buyers? I spent a day finding out.