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Better Equipped, Safer Suzuki Alto Goes on Sale in New Zealand

Higher levels of safety, further improvements in economy and an increase in equipment have further enhanced the revised 2011 model Suzuki Alto.

Already lauded as one of the most fuel efficient cars available in New Zealand, the compact five door Alto GLX hatchback now represents an even more compelling proposition for cost-conscious motorists.

Externally the latest Alto is easily recognised by standard fitment of tasteful eight-spoke aluminium alloy wheels, integral fog lamps in the lower section of the front bumpers and body colour matching of the door handles and mirrors which were previously finished in black.

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) becomes standard on Alto for the first time, supplementing the car’s already inherent high levels of stability. There are now three major safety functions with anti-lock braking incorporating electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), traction control and stability control.

Safety is an Alto strongpoint, with the car enjoying a four star NCAP adult occupancy safety rating.

New lower rolling resistance tyres have improved fuel economy from 4.8 litres/100 km to 4.7 litres/100 km for the five-speed manual gearbox Alto, and from 5.5 litres/100 km to 5.3 litres/100km for the four stage automatic transmission model.

A 3 per cent fall in emissions means the manual Alto now produces 110 grams/km while the automatic averages 126 grams/km, make the Suzuki one of the cleanest new cars offered in New Zealand.

Suzuki has addressed customer concerns and fitted a remote control for the hatchback door, height adjustment on the driver seat and a lid for the glove box.

Despite the many improvements, the recommended drive-away retail price for the new Alto rises by just 3 per cent, or $510 to $16,500 for the manual and $18,500 for the automatic model.

“Not only is this rising young star better value for money, with its compact dimensions and all-round efficiency, the Alto is totally in tune with today’s needs,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.

“Small car buyers are demanding higher levels of equipment and the latest Alto answers these needs,” he said.

In Australia N.R.M.A. Insurance has rated the Alto the lowest cost car to own and operate, and in Britain the model was awarded the title of best value city car for 2010.

World sales of Alto last year rose 25 per cent to 300,000, making the 3.5 metre long Suzuki one of the most popular small cars on the planet.

The car is proving a huge success in India where Suzuki commands half the domestic car market.

The small car class is booming in India because a large number of middle class and upper class people prefer compact size vehicles.

The seventh generation Alto, first introduced in 2009, is also known in some markets as the Suzuki Celerio, A-Star, Changhe-Suzuki Alto and Nissan Pixo.

Arrival of the latest Alto coincided with the 30th anniversary of the model with cumulative sales of ten million units. While the model is extremely popular in Japan, more than half the Altos produced have been sold in other parts of the world.

The car has attracted a strong following in Italy, Germany, Holland and the UK and is now sold in 132 countries and regions.

One of the keys to the success of this global car is the latest generation three-cylinder, one litre K10B engine. Demand for the K-Series power unit has been so high that Maruti Suzuki, which manufactures the engine in India, is doubling production.

In New Zealand the Alto is available in five colours and comes as standard with six airbags, halogen multi-reflector headlights, air conditioning, central door locking and tuner/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input socket for MP3 player.

ENDS

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