Maruti Suzuki Alto facelift to return mileage of 24.77kpl; more details emerge

Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch the face-lifted version of its most selling car the Alto 800 on Wednesday. Ahead of the launch, many details have been leaked online. Apart from the mild cosmetic changes, the facelifted avatar of Alto 800 will return 9 percent higher fuel-efficiency reported Financial Express.

According to the report, the new version will return a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.77kmpl. The current Alto 800 comes with a claimed fuel efficiency of 22.74kmpl. Maruti Suzuki's decision to improve the fuel efficiency is understandable since its main rival Renault Kwid returns 25.17kmpl and soon-to-be-launched Datsun redi-Go will also return 25.17kmpl.

The new Alto 800 is reportedly longer by 35mm that will free up more cabin space. The interior will get new dark grey colour theme, while the rear seats will come with integrated headrests. Internally-adjustable rear view mirrors will be standard across the trims, while driver side airbag will be offered as an option from base variant onwards. In addition to the existing colours, the new Alto 800 will be sold Cerulean Blue and Mojito Green shades.

While the silhouette of the Alto 800 remains untouched, the small car offering of Maruti now in its new avatar gets a new front-grille with mild tweak on the front and rear bumpers. There is now place for fog lights on the front bumper. Under the hood, Maruti Alto 800 facelift will get the same 796cc three-cylinder engine, which develops 47bhp and 69Nm of torque mated to five-speed manual transmission.

Maruti Suzuki's workhorse Alto found 16,583 takers in April 2016. However, it registered a 23 percent decline compared to the 21,531 units sales in April 2015. Alto had found 22,101 takers in March 2016, in comparison to the 24,961 units sold in March 2015 â€" an 11 percent drop in sales. The situation in February and January was no different. Maruti Suzuki sold 21,286 units of the Alto in February 2016, registering a 17 percent drop, and 21, 462 units in January 2016, recording a 6 percent drop in sales. The drop in sales and threat from Renault Kwid and Datsun redi-Go seems to have prompted Maruti Suzuki to come up Alto 800 facelift.