Maruti mulls re-launch of Alto with 1000cc K-series engine

India’s largest passenger car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki India, is planning to launch a new version of its best selling model in India.

According to the sources in the industry, MSI is planning to launch the new Alto with 1.0 litre petrol engine from its latest generation K-series engine. Maruti Suzuki India Chairman R C Bhargava told PTI, “Alto needs a face-lift. It has been there for quite a while.”

However, he declined to reveal anything regarding the time of the launch or the engine to be fitted in the new Alto. Just last month, MSI had launched the BS IV compliant Alto on its 800cc F-Series engine.

Sources said the company has made up its mind to power the Alto with a new 1000 cc K-series engine. “With a bigger K-series engine, the new Alto will obviously be costlier than the existing Alto,” a source said.

The existing Alto is sold at a price tag of Rs 2.29 lakh and Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Maruti Suzuki Alto is the best selling car in India which sells about 20,000 units per month. And since its launch, the car has managed to sell 13.5 lakh units since its launch in September 2000.

Maruti Suzuki offers two variants of the K-series engines, a 998cc three-cylinder, ‘K10B’ that is featured in the A-star, Estilo, and the new WagonR and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder ‘K12M’ petrol engine which powers the Ritz, Swift and Swift Dzire.

In April 2010, MSI achieved a major milestone when it rolled out three lakh units of the K-Series engines.