[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

^^^ With M800 production stopped, I think MSIL would anyway push down the Alto F8D to fill in the vacant slot of the M800. Ofcourse, it would help if they drop the prices too.

Quite possible.
Either putting the A800 under value engineering to bring down the cost or an M800 with the A800 Engine and its 5speed gear box could be a viable proposition.

[audioholic]

Here is a size comparison between the K10 and the new Alto800. Though on paper it is shorter, it looks mightier than the previous version. Somehow in this angle it looks i20ish. Looking at the car from different angles, we can associate each with numerous cars



NOTE: This picture is officially posted by a MS dealer which is publicly available in https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...45214541_n.jpg I do not claim ownership of the above image

[hrn658276]

Originally Posted by man_and_machine

On the contrary, to me its a step ahead in terms on of the lines on the car. Like the swift I guess the new design will take to settle in. Its not a cute like Nano design, but it is feeling to me like the design might grow on me.

This design looks disproportionate. The case of the Swift was different, it was a great design but very unconventional. That's why it took time to settle in. In this segment I would still prefer the design of Nano over anything else considering the value for money.

[dZired]

The strangest thing I found looking at the pics in this thread is that the door handles of the new alto 800 are body coloured while the ORVMs are black. This looks quite weird IMO.

In other models from the MSIL stable, the base variant has ORVMs as well as door handles in black while in higher variants they are body coloured.

[man_and_machine]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Here is a size comparison between the K10 and the new Alto800. Though on paper it is shorter, it looks mightier than the previous version. Somehow in this angle it looks i20ish. Looking at the car from different angles, we can associate each with numerous cars

I would say for "Figo"ish. The lines are more drawn out and the front side looks more meaty. Also the car seems taller (even if the one is the rear is far off in the photo, but even window line to roof looks taller) than the K10. The new one clealy seems to be made with one theme in mind - " to look un-Alto'ish". To differentiate from its decade old design.

The more cars on the road (which will be an eventuality), the more the lines will start feeling natural. Well, I still feel, it look less "its a box" feeling, however awkward the new look might be.

If Gangnam style can be popular, why not the new Alto's design ?

[romeomidhun]

Source: http://overdrive.in/details/2137/201...ia-first-drive

In this angle, it looks far better than the front side.

I wonder how this car would have turned out to be, with the following changes:

1. Fitted with a 1/1.2L engine
2. Blackened B-pillar
3. Bigger tyres
4. A unique front face (or at least, a Ritz / Ertiga face)

[deetjohn]

It is the front bumper and the shape of the headlight which is spoiling it. The rest of the car looks okay.

That rear window is straight out of the i20.

[supremeBaleno]

It looks like the market leader is copying the follower's idea, instead of coming up with some path-breaking ideas of their own. A lift on the Eon, where a new body is mated with a low-cc engine (Hyundai's 1st sub-1-litre engine in India), here also a new shell is mated with the old 800cc engine. Why not try something different like going below the 800cc displacement and creating a new segment itself ?

Like bringing in their 600cc (or is it 660cc?) engine used in the Suzuki Twin, and a shell that is catchy in looks/design and maybe a new concept like 2-seater + just luggage space at the rear. Am sure lots of the young crowd would like the safety provided by this ultra-small car (compared to their scooterettes), easy manouevrability due to small size and the low price would add to the attraction. And the lack of the rear seat would not really be a deterrent for these single / college/office going crowd.

[coloneljasi]

Yes, the enthusiasts are bound to be disappointed by the strange mish-mash of design styles in one small body. Then again, very few petrolheads would be queuing up to buy this in the first place. Suzuki has more than enough cars in the Japanese line-up which, though may be seen as staid and boring in Europe, would be chic enough in India.

This does not in any way mean that we're trying to down-play the fact that this MS Alto 800 is a home effort, but it could have been better. Much better. But no matter how confused or strange the design may be, the New Maruti Alto 800 (what is it with MSIL and double-barrelled car names?) is bound to sell well.

[viggienomad]

Originally Posted by deetjohn

... That rear window is straight out of the i20.

It's actually a straight lift from A-Star. Overall silhouette is more like A-Star.



(Image is from this thread: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...ml#post2912529)

[speedmiester]

The new Alto 800 has already raked up 6500 bookings even before launch.

New Maruti Alto 800 gets 6,500 bookings before launch

Goes to show the trust Maruti commands in this segment.

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by viggienomad

It's actually a straight lift from A-Star. Overall silhouette is more like A-Star.

To me, it looks a lot like the i20 one. Especially the quarter glass.


Picture from the official review of the i20.

[blue_pulsar]

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Source: http://overdrive.in/details/2137/201...ia-first-drive

In this angle, it looks far better than the front side.
....
....

4. A unique front face (or at least, a Ritz / Ertiga face)

I agree. Looks much better in the above angle.
It should have borrowed some front design cues from the Ritz/Swift. It looks 'frightened' and 'confused' in this pic.

This is its worst looking angle:

[arjab]

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

It looks 'frightened' and 'confused' in this pic.

This is its worst looking angle:
Attachment 1000026

Brilliant description blue_pulsar! It does indeed look scared and timid - as if looking over the shoulder to see who is coming in from behind.
Maruti could have done a much better styling job in my opinion even with the constraints of low cost in mind.
Good styling needs an eye for proportion and form, needs lots of imagination and passion. This car look dull, dull, dull and is about as attractive as a toaster.
Why this obsession with gaping grilles, ridge lines on the sides i wonder? These cars do not have the length to carry these kind of feature lines!
On the other hand look at an original MINI, a FIAT 500, even our tiny NANO. All are small cars, with brilliantly executed styling that will age gracefully with time

[gostel]

The Alto F8 is a good car that keeps going without a bother, and gives lotsa miles per gallon. It is a trusty, sensible car for sensible drivers. Long drives of 800kms leaves one without fatigue. The facelift makes it look better, so why not? Wish Maruti could tweak a few more horses from the same engine!