Alto with Zen Engine?

dsinz · 26th September 2006, 21:10

Is it true that post launch of New ZEN in October, Alto will be upgraded to Old Zen Engine? The result: Alto engine with 996 cc / 1.0 L and the new Zen engine as 1.1.

Any comments or updates on this?

ravibhat · 26th September 2006, 22:04

Acording to magazine/website information new ZEN will be Suzuki MR Wagon which was sold in japan 6 yrs back, look wise its Suzuki MR Wagon and most probably engine will be taken from wagon R with few tuning, MR Wagon is based on alto/wagon R platform, they also hinted its just master mind of MUL producing 3 birds (New Zen, Wagon R, Alto) from single egg (all share same platform/engine).

NewZen is compitetion to upcoming new Santro and GM's Spark.

Regards,

Ravi.

Ironmarine · 27th September 2006, 09:25

Does that mean, the new Alto prices are gonna be increased?

I was wondering if this is the case that the new Alto would have a better engine then why not get it changed to the new engine. Do you guys think that they would take the old engine and place the new engine on to this car?
By the way I have Alto 2003 model. Very curious to know about it.

turbofreak · 27th September 2006, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravibhat

Acording to magazine/website information new ZEN will be Suzuki MR Wagon which was sold in japan 6 yrs back

Even i have heard this...

...mr wagon is a really pathetic looking car...hoping that they dont launch mr wagon as the new zen..

yeis · 27th September 2006, 18:52

I don't think Maruti will pay around with Alto at this stage. Alto is the top-selling car of India today. Maybe they can launch Alto 1.0 as a entirely different version or so. MR Wagon as new Zen? I am not convinced with the design either. Zen should be more like earlier Zen rather than like Wagon R!

sbasak · 27th September 2006, 19:18

[SIZE=2]If Maruti wants to do it why did they discountiue Alto VX with 1.1L engine in the first place??[/SIZE]

dsinz · 27th September 2006, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbasak

[SIZE=2]If Maruti wants to do it why did they discountiue Alto VX with 1.1L engine in the first place??[/SIZE]

I guess Alto VX 1.1 was in competition with Zen so they removed that variant. Now with Zen being stopped, probably they are considering for an upgrade. Just a thought!

Also, I have heard that you can still get an Alto 1.1L one if you place an order. They put in Wagon R engine and the cost is placed around the wagon r price.

Mpower · 27th September 2006, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsinz

Is it true that post launch of New ZEN in October, Alto will be upgraded to Old Zen Engine? The result: Alto engine with 996 cc / 1.0 L and the new Zen engine as 1.1.

Any comments or updates on this?

Tell us the source of you information and then we can comment on the probability of it being true.

theMAG · 27th September 2006, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsinz

Is it true that post launch of New ZEN in October, Alto will be upgraded to Old Zen Engine? The result: Alto engine with 996 cc / 1.0 L and the new Zen engine as 1.1.

Any comments or updates on this?

Where might you have read this?!

mail4ajo · 27th September 2006, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbasak

[SIZE=2]If Maruti wants to do it why did they discountiue Alto VX with 1.1L engine in the first place??[/SIZE]

This is the reason that MUL might not come out out with a more powerful Alto soon. It would canabalise the sales of the new ZEN and Wagon R. I did ask for the 1.1 engine when I brought my Alto. No such options exists atleast in chennai.

ownerofazkaban · 27th September 2006, 23:07

Had been to Maruti *** today, the service advisor ruled out any such move. Also said swift diesel could some in 2007. Same for new zen ... its launch data might get extended. (keeping in mind how public looks at new insurance deregulation) everyone is keeping the fingers crossed... they have this fear that public might stop using cars....(just like they are paraniod about fuel economy), they might get paranoid about insurance.

wolfinstein · 27th September 2006, 23:09

Intially Alto came with an Alto SPIN version which is the same as the current avatar, and then they phased out the 1.1..! However I also enquired on all options with an Alto when I was car hunting a few months back and don't recall any dealer talking of the Alto 1.1 retrofitted with the Wagon R engine on Custom Order basis, I think All what maruti offers on custom basis is the Handicap car or the Automatic varient. Even the Web does not mention any such option, Which if it was available it would kill the sales of any ZEN,Wagon R, XETA, Santro or whatever small car in the market simply because the Alto 1.1 was a legend in its class..!

dsinz · 28th September 2006, 11:15

Well, my friend was telling this to me. He is planning to pick an Alto. So I am not sure how authentic is the information. That is why I posted here to check if it is true or not!

1100D · 29th September 2006, 00:06

If the Zen (in its current form is finally discontinued) then offerring its engine on the Alto in one of its variants will ensure that it will not clash with Wagon R (as the previous VX 1.1 was clashing with both the Wagon R as well as the Zen) and the bigger drivers car would be the Swift. Could be a masterstroke. But is the Zen engine to Alto engine Bay swap possible?

madan80 · 12th October 2006, 17:23

the zen is about 12 years old, it has seen several facelifts... i guess it is time to "retire" and move on. however, the alto 1.1 was taken off due to the fact it competed directly with the zen and wagon R. it was much cheaper than the two and hence ate into the market. the alto itself was introduced to phase out the 800, but after noticing the popularity of the 800, MUL decided against the move, and kept both. I guess the Zlto Vxi would have been quite a pocket rocket!

26th September 2006, 21:10	#1
dsinz BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 113 Thanked: 20 Times	Is it true that post launch of New ZEN in October, Alto will be upgraded to Old Zen Engine? The result: Alto engine with 996 cc / 1.0 L and the new Zen engine as 1.1. Any comments or updates on this?
	() Thanks

26th September 2006, 22:04	#2
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Acording to magazine/website information new ZEN will be Suzuki MR Wagon which was sold in japan 6 yrs back, look wise its Suzuki MR Wagon and most probably engine will be taken from wagon R with few tuning, MR Wagon is based on alto/wagon R platform, they also hinted its just master mind of MUL producing 3 birds (New Zen, Wagon R, Alto) from single egg (all share same platform/engine). NewZen is compitetion to upcoming new Santro and GM's Spark. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

27th September 2006, 09:25	#3
Ironmarine BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 66 Thanked: 0 Times	Does that mean, the new Alto prices are gonna be increased? I was wondering if this is the case that the new Alto would have a better engine then why not get it changed to the new engine. Do you guys think that they would take the old engine and place the new engine on to this car? By the way I have Alto 2003 model. Very curious to know about it.
	() Thanks

27th September 2006, 18:52	#5
yeis BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 238 Thanked: 4 Times	I don't think Maruti will pay around with Alto at this stage. Alto is the top-selling car of India today. Maybe they can launch Alto 1.0 as a entirely different version or so. MR Wagon as new Zen? I am not convinced with the design either. Zen should be more like earlier Zen rather than like Wagon R!
	() Thanks

27th September 2006, 19:18	#6
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	[SIZE=2]If Maruti wants to do it why did they discountiue Alto VX with 1.1L engine in the first place??[/SIZE]
	() Thanks

27th September 2006, 23:07	#11
ownerofazkaban BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 456 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	ruled out by SA Had been to Maruti *** today, the service advisor ruled out any such move. Also said swift diesel could some in 2007. Same for new zen ... its launch data might get extended. (keeping in mind how public looks at new insurance deregulation) everyone is keeping the fingers crossed... they have this fear that public might stop using cars....(just like they are paraniod about fuel economy), they might get paranoid about insurance.
	() Thanks

27th September 2006, 23:09	#12
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	Intially Alto came with an Alto SPIN version which is the same as the current avatar, and then they phased out the 1.1..! However I also enquired on all options with an Alto when I was car hunting a few months back and don't recall any dealer talking of the Alto 1.1 retrofitted with the Wagon R engine on Custom Order basis, I think All what maruti offers on custom basis is the Handicap car or the Automatic varient. Even the Web does not mention any such option, Which if it was available it would kill the sales of any ZEN,Wagon R, XETA, Santro or whatever small car in the market simply because the Alto 1.1 was a legend in its class..!
	() Thanks

28th September 2006, 11:15	#13
dsinz BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 113 Thanked: 20 Times	Well, my friend was telling this to me. He is planning to pick an Alto. So I am not sure how authentic is the information. That is why I posted here to check if it is true or not!
	() Thanks

29th September 2006, 00:06	#14
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	If the Zen (in its current form is finally discontinued) then offerring its engine on the Alto in one of its variants will ensure that it will not clash with Wagon R (as the previous VX 1.1 was clashing with both the Wagon R as well as the Zen) and the bigger drivers car would be the Swift. Could be a masterstroke. But is the Zen engine to Alto engine Bay swap possible?
	() Thanks

12th October 2006, 17:23	#15
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	the zen is about 12 years old, it has seen several facelifts... i guess it is time to "retire" and move on. however, the alto 1.1 was taken off due to the fact it competed directly with the zen and wagon R. it was much cheaper than the two and hence ate into the market. the alto itself was introduced to phase out the 800, but after noticing the popularity of the 800, MUL decided against the move, and kept both. I guess the Zlto Vxi would have been quite a pocket rocket!
	() Thanks