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-   -   Maruti A-Star review + test Drive (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/49295-maruti-star-review-test-drive-5.html)

Is there no one else who took a test drive?
I think I shall take one during this weekend because, I expected the car to be a little cramped, as usual, but was expecting a better engine performance. After reading the review, I am tempted to go and check the engine performace. Their 1.1L (1058cc i guess) engine actually delivers a very good performace.

I need a clarification:
What exactly are butterfly windows and why can't they be rolled down.

Well i'll be taking it on monday. I was also expecting better engine performance than the review states.
btw its 998cc.

I believe Vinit was talking about the Wagon R engine

Dont Worry A-star doesnt have them :)

Really ?? I thought the first generation Maruti 800s had one of the smoothest gearboxes in the country.

Forgot to add this in the previous post. Most part of the review was somewhat on expected lines.
What you expect from a MSIL hatchback is
1. Good FE
2. Rear Seat cramped (WaganR is slightly better in this department I guess)
3. Not a tank like built (If MSIL starts producing such hatch's, their USP i.e. Fuel Economy goes for a toss). This also affect the high speed handling of the car. Swift is doing a good job though, except for its slim tyres.
4. Good Engine Performance. This is where the surprise comes in this review. Had it not been the case, I would have never thought of taking a TD, as almost everything else is on the expected lines (except for the price tag). But now I am very much eager :D
5. Maintenance free or it is better to put it this way. Hassle free Maintenance and at comparitively much lower price.


@Technocrat: You are right. I was talking about the WagonR Engine.

Agreed vinit. Number 1 criteria for Indians is a car that is rugged, which means that it can take the grinds of indian roads and traffic.
It should be able to get you from point A to point B reliably, and if and when there are any issues, the repair cost shouldn't exceed the cost of a kit-kat, and the emotional despair caused by the issue shouldn't exceed that which you get in Ekta kapoor movies :D
I guess thats why people like maruti. Its truly Indian!

Just had a look at A-Star @ Kalyani Motors, Bangalore. Sat in the car for about 5 mins, so here are my 2 cents

1. Overall appeal - nice and cuddly
2. Driver seating - I'm 6'3" wear a turban (which makes is 6'4"), could sit easily with the seat fully retracted, did not touch the roof/knees did'nt touch the steering. Found the seat height a bit akward though. road visibility could be an issue, although can only be sure after a TD
3. Rear seating - cramped to the core... the the driver seat fully retracted one could only seat a small doggie!!
4. Stereo/CD - nice addition as a standard (VXI/ZXI)
5. Boot - Criminal, could'nt get smaller, i guess would be difficult to fit even a LPG Cyliner
6. Mileage - the sales guy told me "its 15.... err 16"
7. Plastics - better than Swift, dual tone gray/black does justice
8. Delivery - for a few colors 1 month, for strange looking colors 3 months

more after the Test drive, whenever i get one !
cheers:

I know that but I'm still very curious about what they are.

Sidindica, after you 'ripped and tortured' the A-Star through those potholes, did it start rattling aka the Swift?

what else did ya expect guys? It an alto replacement for european market, grossly overpriced IMHO.

Overpriced, but not grossly. This is India market. This happens with almost all the manufacturers. Be it Hyundai ( Santro/i10, Accent/Verna ) or some " premium " brand like Skoda ( Octavia/Laura ).

As with all Maruti small cars, this car will be hopefully possess good FE, low ownership cost as compared to rivals, so it will sell. It will also dent the sales of other Maruti models like Wagon R, but then Maruti wont worry much as its overall sales will increase.
I think the maximum cost went in for the new engine. Also the gearbox is much smoother and hopefully a new unit and not carryover from older generation car.

Well written review SID , I guess ill stick to my wagon R for now.

Well compare it to the Chevvy spark and it looks grossly overpriced. Dont forget the chevvy also comes with a better engine and more space inside.

Can someone let me know the european pricing?

I have not driven Maruti A-star till now and I think that not many have driven A-star, so we cannot comment on engine being inferior or superior to Spark or not.
Also I am yet to see the car from inside and rather sit in it and try it out and I think that not many have tried this. So its better if we reserve the judgement about space and engine.

The Suzuki UK site mentions that the new Alto is coming in 2009.