[sidindica]

a-star is one of the better built cars from maruti since it is also exported. But frankly, is adding autobox to a flop car a way out to give competition to hyundai i10, especially with the god awful rear end styling and absolutely no legroom at the rear plus non existent boot space?

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by blackasta

Come on doc - it was just a 47 km old car

Well, true! Maybe I am underestimating the build quality a bit too much

I was just curious to know what Ajmat thought about the build quality and the potential to rattle in the long run even if the particular car with 47 km was rattle-free.

[Dippy]

Superb review Ajmat. I myself was eager to do a TD of this car. Seems like a good city commuter but it sure has a lot of catching up to do with the i10 AT which has made a good name for itself in the market.

Ajit, have you driven any of Maruti's previous autoboxes before? It would be an interesting comparison because I have owned a Zen AT and 800 AT with a 3 and 2 speed box respectively. Is there a strain on the box at high speeds over say 100kph?

However I still did not get the logic behind the A Star as choice of car to add the AT to.

[tanwaramit]

An awaited review, quite well on time. Thank you. This car will only sell on Marutis name and yes FE when compared to i10, else it is hardly a competition to i10, even in manual version.

[vnabhi]

Great review, Ajmat. I guess this AT version will do better than the i10 automatic becuase the FE figures seem to be better---I've read on this forum that the latter gives only a single digit FE in city.

I also feel Maruti should have made the A-Star a 2-door coupe, as people who buy coupes have expectations of limited rear space already set in their minds.

[vinaydas]

decent review.
But isn't the lack of engine braking a common phenomenon among all A/T's?
Correct me if im wrong here .

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Great review, Ajmat. I guess this AT version will do better than the i10 automatic becuase the FE figures seem to be better---I've read on this forum that the latter gives only a single digit FE in city.

I also feel Maruti should have made the A-Star a 2-door coupe, as people who buy coupes have expectations of limited rear space already set in their minds.

Well, its not road tested but ARAI FE that is posted here for Astar.

Astar AT ARAI FE: around 17 (1 litre 3 cylinder engine)
i10 AT ARAI FE: 16.67 (1.2 litre 4 cylinder engine)


I extract around 12.5-13.5 from my i10 AT in 50-50 city/highway setting.
The 1.2 kappa is a much more powerful engine generating peak power of 80 PS whereas the KB10 generates 67 PS at peak.

If the Astar does not give a balanced (city /highway mixed) FE of 14-15, I shall be disappointed.

So as you can see - FE varies a maximum of 1.5-2 kmpl, with a trade off for rear seat space & boot space.

If this car sells good, it shall be due to its sporty nature now coupled with ease of AT box, due to the i10s conservative (and now all too common) design, and due to lower price point offering - and not FE.

I absolutely agree on the coupe part - are you listening MSIL?

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by vinaydas

decent review.
But isn't the lack of engine braking a common phenomenon among all A/T's?
Correct me if im wrong here .

Reduce engine brakng yes, total lack, no!

Well at 100, we shift to 3, nothing, down to 2 nothing,

One way, might be to artificialy dupe the engine by simulating a kick down.

[Sheel]

Very good review Ajmat Monthly publications for sure shall hate us

I always feel that A-Star has a better steering set up than Swift, what do you feel?

[Guna]

Nice report Ajamt.
Astar could be launched as two door which may add some exclusivity and create a niche for itself.
When I had driven, I had found that lower part of the dashboard was touching the leg.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Reduce engine brakng yes, total lack, no!

Well at 100, we shift to 3, nothing, down to 2 nothing,

Great review. How can there be no engine braking when you shift to 3 or 2?? I was initially excited at seeing a 3 AND a 2 purely from the standpoint of better engine braking potential compared to the i10 (which only has 2 and 1). This is really very disappointing.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by Axe77

Great review. How can there be no engine braking when you shift to 3 or 2?? I was initially excited at seeing a 3 AND a 2 purely from the standpoint of better engine braking potential compared to the i10 (which only has 2 and 1). This is really very disappointing.

Click the O/D button in the i10 gear lever, 'O/D off' flashes in the dash, and you have 3

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by blackasta

Click the O/D button in the i10 gear lever, 'O/D off' flashes in the dash, and you have 3

Ah - didn't know that.

Thanks for clarifying.

[Vid6639]

If my dad comes to know about this car I'm going to be having a very tough time convincing him against this as our second car.

If they price it 30-40K above the A-star VXi MT will be a good vfm AT option.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Engine

The K Series 1.0 litre is a nice revvy unit. Sounds like the good old M800 MPFI without the rough engine note. Good torque to power car from rest but not enough to induce kickdown at times. Engine is in exact tune as the manual.

Attachment 405754

Nice, looks like the new A-Star comes with a revised air-box like the WagonR & Alto K10 with air intake opening towards the front. Mine just has a pipe sticking to the side of the engine.