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To read the complete Test drive report on Alto K10, visit http://www.vicky.in/blog/maruti-alto-k10-test-drive-and-review/
Coming up
As we reported you earlier, Maruti will soon launch the 1.0L alto. The new alto powered by 1.0L k-series engine will offer better performance and class leading fuel economy. Maruti new alto “Alto K10” is driven by vicky team. Stay tuned for test drive and review.
Catch a quick comparison among Corolla Altis Diesel with other cars @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/toyota-corolla-altis-diesel-vs-skoda-laura-vs-volkswagen-jetta-vs-chevrolet-cruze/
Introduction | Corolla Altis Diesel | Skoda Laura | Volkswagen Jetta | Chevrolet Cruze
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Maruti’s much awaited powerful Alto called “Alto K10” will be launched in August. but before that know the specifications,features, variants, colours and everything you want to know about the Alto K10. To cater to the customers who want no compromise on performance,style,features, style and attitude in the entry level car segment. Maruti believes Alto K10 will redefine the segment as Swift did in the premium hatch segment.
Engine and Transmission
Maruti Alto K10 is built on the same platform the existing alto (called Alto F8). There are not much mechanical changes except for the retuning of suspension and booster assisted braking system. The new stuff is the all new K10 engine which Maruti already uses in A-star, Estilo and Wagon-R. The K-series under the hood of Alto K10 produces 68PS of maximum power at 6200rpm and 90Nm of maximum torque at 3500rpm. Remember, these figures are astonishing when compared to current alto which generates just 47PS of peak power.On the other side, Alto k10 has gained just 50kgs because of the new engine. Result, Alto K10 reaches 100kmphs in 13.3 seconds as opposed to 17.3 seconds by alto.
Even though the power ratings have improved, Maruti claims the Alto K10 returns a mileage of 20.3Kmpl under standard conditions which is marginally better than the current alto. Like the new Wagon-R, Maruti alto k10 also gets the new cable type transmission for smoother gear shifts
Exteriors
Maruti Alto k10 is 125mm longer to accommodate the K10 engine. The front fascia is different with a dynamic hood, eagle eyed clear lens headlamps and body coloured bumper. Alto k10 also gets swanky fog lamps. The side profile remains largely unchanged except for the 13″ inch wheels and body side mouldings.Alto k10 also gets nice looking wheel covers. The rear gets a new designed back door and fresh tail lamps.
Interiors
Those who bothered about utilitarian Alto interiors can now rejoice. Alto k10 gets two tone interiors with lot of usable features and design elements. The decade old two spoke steering wheel is replaced with three spoke wheel. Maruti has borrowed the 3-spoke steering wheel from the A-star. Integrated headrest for front and rear passengers is a radical change. The instrument panel is refreshed with amber illuminated speedometer, tachometer and an electronic trip-meter.
Features
Alto K10 comes with long list of much needed features like power steering,internally adjustable ORVM, key reminder, remote boot opener (reminds you if you left the key in the lock itself), central locking, power windows, rear parcel tray, accessory socket, remote fuel lid opener and electronic trip meter
Variants
Maruti Alto K10 will come in two variants – Alto k10 LXi and Alto K10 VXi
Colours
Alto K10 will be available in six colours – ecru beige, midnight black, fire brick red, sunlight copper, silky silver and superior white.
Maruti will launch the Alto K10 in the first week of August. Maruti plans to sell the current alto with the new Alto K10 and believes the dual-model will further boost the sales numbers. Expect the pricing of Alto K10 to be very competitive.
The FY of 2010-11 may prove to be a fantastic period for Toyota as its sale is marching toward three times than in 2010. The reason cited for this is the boost meted out by its Etios, which is expected for launch soon. The Toyota-Kirloskar Motor JV is eyeing on reaching the mark of 150000 units in 2011 of which nearly 50%would be Etios. Toyota has planned to deliver 70000 units of Etios which would make the sale to reach 65000-70000, said its Deputy MD. Etios, slated for formal launch during the end of this year, is under production from its Bangalore facility, with the capacity of 70000 units. The company has already
invested #103 million for getting engines and transmission for Etios, targeted for the Indian market. Toyota produces Innova [images], Fortuner [images], Corolla Altis and Camry [images], Prius [images] and Land Cruiser [images]. The sale in 2009 for Toyota Kirloskar was 55497 units in the domestic market which is expected to rise to 70000 units. It is also informed that there will be no smaller car than this Etios [images].
The Indian auto company, known for trucks, SUV and MUVs, Mahindra&Mahindra is entering the two wheeler market to take on the Japanese Honda’s Hero Honda. To tap all sort of customers, the company intends to deliver motorbikes in all ranges- low cost to super bikes, said the company’s Head for two wheelers. More information about this would come later, he added. M&M is setting the strategy to make the two wheeler segment on par its trucks and SUVs in a time frame of seven years. M&M is already in the scooter market for the past 4 years, ever since it got hold of Kinetic Motor.
M&M took this initiative after knowing well that the two wheeler market is on the higher note than the commercial cars on the ratio of 1:5. However, the industry analysts view M&M’s entry as a challenging, since the market is already dominated by the giants like Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Bajaj and TVS. Of these, the major players are Hero Honda and Bajaj, whose combined share is two third of the net two wheeler market in the country. The sale of two wheelers in India during April-June this year was 2.7 million (554, 566 units). The industry analysts foresee a growth of 8.04 million units during the FY 2010-11. The corresponding sale of motorcycles during FY2009-10 was 7.34 million units. The market of scooters seem to prospect with already crossing 1.66 million indicating a gain of 14%. M&M’s entry into two wheeler is designed to have the best available in the industry- the bikes are to be designed by Engines Engineering of Italy, which is under the service of M&M from 2008. In a bid to boost its brand image, M&M is exploring other noted companies for JVs.
But the economical aspects focus on a different note- the share of M&M getting the vertical index- a rise of 2.4% @Rs616.75, counted as the fourth best performance, making the net rise to 14% in this year alone. M&M received a good stint with its scooters, a rise of 4 times for the period ending June 2010- by selling 27000 units, says a report from SIAM. This is in the net sale of the scooter industry in India, 28% (2.7 million units). The unprecedented growth in these three months is possible due to the purchase power of the customers. Taken for the company’s net growth, M&M has an upper hand (25%)than Hero Honda(16%) or Bajaj(15%). M&M has the top notch brand image in tractor, which constitutes 29% against 14% for cars, SUVs and trucks.
M&M is on the global auto industry badges when it took over Ssangyang Motor of South Korea. Following this move, M&M witnessed double growth in its income- 20.9 billion rupees during 2009-10. The net profit too increased to 21.8 billion rupees during the FY 2009-10. M&M is on the verge of exporting its motorcycles, on the lines of SUVs and tractors. The countries benchmarked for this are Africa, South Asia and Latin America.
The JV between Tata Motors and the Italian car maker Fiat failed to yield the desired result- the expected sale. The JV is on the basis of 50:50 to involve in making engines and cars commonly. The plant in the state of Maharastra is benchmarked for this purpose and Tata has to take care of sales and service. Fiat is not involving directly in marketing, as its brands are to be retailed through the existing dealers of Tata Motors. However, Fiat’s MD for Fiat India seems to admit that the company is not confined to overall marketing, since Tata Motors is given the task of dealing Punto only. Fiat’s another brand Linea is yet to penetrate the market. With Fiat coming under the JV, Tata has to increase its dealerships from 60 to 175. Even this could not please Fiat that its brand has failed to impress the customers- just 1.6%share.
The Italian car company’s overall sale volume during 2009-10 had been impressive 208% but only meager amount of units could be seen in the Indian market. The Indian commercial car market had the capacity of 1.52 million of which Fiat could secure just 24806 units. The initial reaction among the dealers in this regard was not supple and they were not quite happy dealing with Fiat. But it seems the situation has just changed and gradual sale of Fiat is on the cards. Fiat has no good sign of sale for its brands- 2500 monthly units- which is still lesser than Maruti 800’s 2500 units. But the sources in Tata Motors said
that the JV is in full swing now and the sale of Fiat may increase soon. Sensing the trouble and confusion, Fiat has made efforts to segregate its brand under the Tata Motors dealers and is doing its business. It has appointed its own personnel at the desks to deal for its brands. Thus, Fiat has ignited its sale to a fast track.
The Indian wing of Detroit-based General Motors has come out with its proposal to have enhanced domestic components- probably 90% , from the current 60%- for the production of commercial and passenger vehicles. This move may come into practice some two years from now so that the progressing local vendors would reap much benefits, said the MD and President for India. He added that only those components which may be unavailable in India would be imported. Pertaining to the local component deals, the vendors have done business worth $500 million during the Q1from GM of this year. Corresponding business deals in Europe and North America is slightly lesser than this and the MD is hopeful of wresting $1 billion before this year end.
GM has got associated with the Chinese company SAIC and is coming out with new models in MUV and SUV segments. The move towards more localization is mainly on reducing the overall cost including input and assembling. The strategy is to effect more reduction on the cost of the vehicles, especially the sensational Beat [images], in the compact car platform. This may not come handy since the market is already on the hands of Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors. Moreover, the global company Volvo is stepping into the Indian market very aggressively. This does not seem to discourage GM because it has already devised strategies to meet all sort of hiccups. The company’s power train plant is equipped to shell out 3 lakh petrol and diesel engines. The company’s investment for this purpose is $200 million. Come November this year, the compact car Beat will have both petrol and diesel versions.
From Italy to SAARC, that is Fiat’s move towards export strategy. The nations targeted are Bhutan, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Nepal, where the right hand driving is in practice, said the Head for the company’ Marketing wing. This comes in the wake of successful run in South Africa where already 2000 units are on the run. The South African customers have bought 1100 units of Punto [images], 360 units of Linea [images and 650 units of Palio [images. Fiat’s export marketing began with this country last year. Further, he added, the company may launch higher version of Linea and CNG Punto following the formal launch of Grand Punto slated for this year end.
The company’s earmark of export business stretches to 60% growth with these new launches and the JV of Fiat-Tata Motors is snooping for net sale of 40000 units. He disclosed that this year’s sale is a hike by 16000 units from the last year’s 24000 units. The average sale of Fiat cars in India is 2500 monthly units from which Punto’s share is 1500. It is to be noted that the company’s Pune plant has the production capacity of 2 lakh cars and 3 lakh engines.
Catch the documents check list for your cars @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/car-documents-check-list/
Introduction | Documents from the Dealer at the time of Car Purchase I | Documents from the Dealer at the time of Car Purchase II | Documents for availing car loans | Documents to be checked for Buying Used Cars | Documents to be kept in the car always
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Toyota today launched the diesel variant of its popular sedan Corolla Altis. Corolla Altis is powered by 1.4L diesel engine generating 88PS of maximum power and 205Nm of peak torque. A six-speed manual transmission is coupled with the 4-cylinder D-4D Common Rail Diesel Engine. Toyota claims that the new Corolla Altis will give a mileage of 21.43 km per litre as far ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) condition.
Variants and Price: Toyota Corolla Altis comes in three variants – Altis diesel J, Altis diesel G and Altis diesel GL. Toyota Corolla altis diesel is priced between Rs10,95,000 and Rs13,75,000, (ex-showroom Delhi) Bookings open today
Pictures of Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel
