Following the success of its acclaimed Swift light car, Suzuki has revealed its hand in the sub-light segment with the new Alto model that went on display for the first time in Australia at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
Confirmed by Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers for an on-sale date next year, the Alto puts to rest speculation whether the company would go for the Indian-built Alto or the similar, but slightly edgier Hungarian-built Splash.
The Alto is the fifth -- and smallest -- model forming part of Suzuki's world-car strategy.
Jointly developed by Suzuki and Opel, the Alto is claimed to have many strengths -- including interior dimensions closer to a small car than a light car, and fuel consumption that challenges small hybrid vehicles.
The Splash is already on sale in some markets, with the choice of one-litre three-cylinder and 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, or a Fiat-built 1.3-litre turbodiesel. British fuel consumption data reveals that the Splash averages 4.7l/100km.
Although pricing and final specifications of the Alto won't be known until closer to the launch date, Suzuki has said it wants, if possible, to tag the car at less than $13,000.
Suzuki has also brought along the latest in its Kizashi series of concept cars to Sydney.
Moving upwards from Suzuki's traditional comfort zone, the mid-size, coupe-style Kizashi 3 family sedan drives all four wheels via an i-AWD system and is powered by a 3.6-litre VVT V6 producing 220kW. Transmission is a paddle-shift six-speed auto.
Suzuki Australia boss Tony Devers has said the vehicle will go into production next year, and that hybrid and diesel versions were being considered.
The first phase of Kizashi concepts yielded the current Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 Suzukis, while the upcoming Alto sprang from the second phase.
Suzuki's stand will also feature its recently upgraded Grand Vitara range, which gets a larger, all-new 122kW 2.4-litre VVT four-cylinder petrol engine replacing the previous 1.6-litre and two-litre engines, as well as an also all-new 3.2-litre VVT V6.
The Suzuki's 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine has also been reworked and, with an ADR average consumption of 7.0l/100km, delivers a claimed eight per cent improvement in fuel economy.
Suzuki is also exhibiting limited edition versions of the Swift light hatch and the all-wheel drive SX4 models.
With the Junior World Rally Championship as inspiration, the limited edition Swift RE3 adds a body kit with front, side and rear spoilers, a rear upper spoiler, new seven-spoke alloys and special RE3 floor mats and badges.
The limited edition SX4 Adventure AWD pack is priced the same as regular models but adds roof racks, a cargo tray, rear bumper protector, bonnet and headlight protectors, as well as special Adventure decals and floor mats.
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