The Maruti Suzuki Alto is undoubtedly one of the most sold and recognisable cars on Indian roads. The little hatchback has been the first car for many and is the dream car for a lot of aspirants. It’s low cost of ownership, frugal and peppy engine, and the comfortable cabin has made it a top seller month-on-month and not many have managed to replicate the same success as the Alto in the entry-level hatchback segment. So, with the new generation under development, hopes are high for the model to break new ground and offer something more for the money. After all, the Alto is and will also always remain a value-conscious buy. And with that, here are five features we wish to see in the next-generation Alto.
1. Digital Instrument Console
One of the more easy-to-adapt features in modern-day cars, the current Alto is missing this big time and the next generation should surely get the same. The current car gets a digital readout but we hope to see a completely digital console instead that will pack more information as well. Even rivals like the Renault Kwid offer the same and this will only bring the Alto hatch up to speed in the market.
2. Idle Start-Stop
Once seen only on premium cars, idle start-stop technology has come a long way. It’s also a feature that helps improve fuel efficiency by a considerable margin. So, all the more reason why the new generation Alto needs this pronto. The Maruti Alto has always boasted of good fuel economy numbers but with the rising fuel prices, these numbers will have to be better if the average Indian wants to buy and drive cars in the future. Remember, electrics are still some time away from being exactly affordable and so, the onus falls on cars like the Alto to offer the best of both worlds.
3. Hill Hold Assist
We know Maruti Suzuki shares a lot of its components and features across cars and that is a benefit, especially for smaller cars. This means that more cars get premium features and we could see Hill Hold Assist making it to the new Alto as a result. The feature is already available on the new Maruti Suzuki Celerio, and offering it on the Alto will only help the carmaker build more value and achieve economies of scale. This, along with six airbags, and ABS with EBD, will help the entry hatchback become a safer offering than its predecessors ever were.
4. Bring Back K10
The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is one fun car. It’s light, quick on its feet and lets you explore the top-end of that 1.0-litre K-Series engine. The current K10 was discontinued in 2020 and we are still waiting to get our hands on the new one. The next-generation Alto should allow us that and we expect to see the upgraded K10 motor that debuted on the Celerio. Expect improved power delivery and efficiency and that should make the model more livable than before. The Alto K10 should also bring back the AMT gearbox that’s a must-have, especially for urban buyers.
5. Connected Car Tech
Maruti Suzuki has been aggressive in adding features to its cars and there’s no reason why the new Alto K10 shouldn’t benefit from the same. Connected car technology is the new must-have and it should be available in the brand’s entry offering as well, even if it’s as an option. The Suzuki Connect app already works with the Alto and we hope to see more features being added on par with the brand’s bigger cars.
