[ramkris]

Took test drive of K10 and A-star today and feel both are very sluggish off the mark. I felt the 800 5 speed engine is peppy and more refined compared to both. K series 3 pots generally sound buzzy is it true? Thats the response from the dealer.

Suspension is ofcourse better in the K10/Astar.

Thinking whether K10/Astar would be an upgrade from my 800 5 speed.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

From a city driving perspective, does a k10 make a difference? in terms of the following:

Pick up/Power
Much better than 800.
Platform
Shape and lights much better
Mileage
Supposed to be marginally more. I have got 12 in heavy city traffic with AC full on. Members have got upto 25 on highways. Similar condition my Esteem would give 6-7, and my sons Baleno 5.
Features
AC - much better, in fact one of the best under 6-8L
Tyre Size - 13". With after market Michelin braking is spot on.
Seats - Slide back so that there is ample space in front
Stability - much better than M800.
Dashboard - in VXi you get Tachometer and symbols for various lights
Front Power Windows make sense as you are mostly alone in the car.
Maintenance
Should be same as 800. My 800 ten years ago was an extremely low maintenance vehicle. In fact for 40K kilometers all that I did was to change oil regularly. The service interval for K10 engines is 10K kilometers.

Genral Impressions
Power curve same as my 10 year old Esteem MPFI. You can do 40,100,130 in the first three gears. This means you can out distance most hatches at traffic light stop.
With AC on you will need the first gear at very low speed.
For One/Two persons in Heavy City Traffic, K10 is hard to beat in terms of maneuverability, FE and ease of parking.

As it is a very light vehicle, it jumps around more than a heavier vehicle, but less than an 800.
Due to seat belts, the rear seats are less comfortable compared to the older 800.
My seats are a bit firm when I compare them to my Esteem and Baleno, but that can always be rectified.
I miss the prismatic mirror (day-night type), though it should be available soon.

[xingamazon]

My friend who was earlier considering to update from his Alto to Figo, is not seriously thinking about K10.
I would seriously ask this question which I would want some Automobile engineer to answer. How is it possible that a car body and transmission built for 800 cc can stand a 1L engine, that too a K10 engine.
I have been recommending his a Figo, thought I know the K10 is a good option. But given the case that he is a die hard fan of Maruti dont think he will opt Figo.

[Trust_In_Thrust]

@xingamazon : K10 and Figo are world apart .When you drive a figo it is a much better car then the K10 except if only look at acar from 0-100 perspective.
And do not forget Figo is exponentially safer and stable then the K10.

[supremeBaleno]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

Can someone explain why would one buy the K10 of alto over the existing 800 cc alto.

Newer / better-tech engine, more power (useful in cities too for that quick overtaking etc), equivalent FE, no power-drop due to a/c etc.

Originally Posted by Trust_In_Thrust

K10 and Figo are world apart .When you drive a figo it is a much better car then the K10 except if only look at a car from 0-100 perspective. And do not forget Figo is exponentially safer and stable then the K10.

I agree. While Alto_K10 is a better deal than the Alto-800, it is not in the same league as the Figo.

@xingamazon, if your friend is not constrained by budget, I would suggest he go for the Figo which is overall a better car. Apart from 0-100 figures, FE would also be better in K10, compared to Figo.

There are now 3 K10s in our office parking @ Chennai and I see much more on Kerala roads than in Chennai.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by xingamazon

How is it possible that a car body and transmission built for 800 cc can stand a 1L engine, that too a K10 engine.

Normally a vehicle is designed keeping in mind various engine and transmission options. If there is space you can generally put any compatible engine and an upgraded transmission. Just peruse the net to find what all upgrades are available for major brands abroad.
That said I am not sure that the transmission in K10 variants is exactly same. The gearbox, clutch and axles have to cope up with higher torque. If the existing components are upto it well and good, else they are upgraded.
For am example, look up all the engine options in say BMW 3 series, they range from about 140 to well above 250 HP.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by xingamazon

How is it possible that a car body and transmission built for 800 cc can stand a 1L engine, that too a K10 engine.

Even before the arrival of the K10 engine, the Alto was being exported in 1.1 L avatar (VX model, 13" wheels), though the same was discontinued in India back in 2004. Same body, but different transmission. The gear box of the current alto K10 too is different from that of the 800 cc alto.

[srinath34]

I kinda like the wheel caps of the A-star than the K10 in top spec. Is it possible to swap them with the A-star's? They both are 13"s.

[sachinj12]

Originally Posted by srinath34

I kinda like the wheel caps of the A-star than the K10 in top spec. Is it possible to swap them with the A-star's? They both are 13"s.

Yes you can. If they both are 13"ers, you can do that.

[oxyzen]

Originally Posted by Trust_In_Thrust

@xingamazon : K10 and Figo are world apart .When you drive a figo it is a much better car then the K10 except if only look at acar from 0-100 perspective.
And do not forget Figo is exponentially safer and stable then the K10.

I agree Figo handles a lot better and the steering feedback is also good. But if you are OK with a little less space K10 is a better choice IMHO.
Reason - K10 is lighter, Has more power/weight ratio and is much much quicker, Expect 30% more FE, Spare parts will be a hell lot cheaper. Well Figo Diesel is a winner but you just cant compare it with K10.

[Gansan]

ABT Maruti sucks when it comes to TD cars. I have been requesting a TD of Alto K 10 for quite a while now. Whenever I drop in, the demo car has had a bump and is in the workshop, or has gone to a customer's place; else they offer me "another piece" (read another customer's) and I refuse.

Finally a neighbor bought an Alto K 10 LXi for Diwali and I had an extended TD on the Tambaram - Maduravoyal road today.

a) The difference in power vis a vis my Alto is immediately apparent. The AC hardly makes a noticeable difference in power delivery of this engine. Some difference is there when the AC is off/on, but not very apparent. I find such peppiness in my car only when the AC is off.

b) I found myself nudging 100 KPH speed without even noticing it. I had to constantly remind myself that the car had just 160 KM on the odo and restrain it. In my Alto, I have to work at it to cross 100 KPH.

c} Engine feels much more smooth and refined at idle than mine, though still a 3 cylinder one.

d) Car feels more upmarket than mine. He has paid ~ 50k more than me, but he got more goodies - the K 10 engine, 13 inch wheels, tubeless tyres, internally adjustable orvms - to name a few.

e) I feel more confident carrying speed in to turns in my Alto than the K 10, though mine has smaller wheels and tubed tyres.

f) I would rate the Alto K10 above the Spark, though the latter one is better built. I did not find the grunt of the K 10 while driving the Spark.

g) I did the TD with one adult and one 10 yo boy, apart from me. I don't know how the car performs with 5 pax and the AC. I also find the AC of my Alto to be more effective for the same settings.

h) I am impressed. I feel sorry to have missed the bus in buying the 800 cc Alto. Will I upgrade to the K 10 and take a hit in the process? I don't think so. If it comes to that, I would like to upgrade to the Ritz petrol, because I like that engine way better!

[MutantX]

Ganesan, Ritz would be here for sometime but I guess all New SWIFT would also be available by the time you upgrade. You have your choices.

I had TD'ed K10 Alto and wasnt impressed *period*. Anyways this is my POV and I find Spark & Santro much better to drive. With a few thousand bucks extra one can get Beat base model over the Alto Vxi.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by MutantX

Ganesan, Ritz would be here for sometime but I guess all New SWIFT would also be available by the time you upgrade. You have your choices.

I had TD'ed K10 Alto and wasnt impressed *period*. Anyways this is my POV and I find Spark & Santro much better to drive. With a few thousand bucks extra one can get Beat base model over the Alto Vxi.

Though it may seem odd, I actually like the Ritz over the Swift!

The main reason to buy the K 10 Alto is that it is a "pocket rocket" and can be modified / pimped relatively cheap to perform even more. None of the other cars you mention fit that bill. The only alternatives are the old Alto VX and the old Zen.

[sumeethaldankar]

hello all,
i would like to know if the new k-10 Alto is "immune" from the notorious fuel-filter problem wherein in the older generation Maruti's one could siphon off fuel from the car by just removing the filter fitted on the lower side of the car.Does the new k10 have a secure filter location or it is at the same vulnearable position as the old 800,Zen etc.


thanks

[lurker]

I can't understand the pricing of this car, for 3.60 lac on road, the K10 alto is priced even above the 4 cyl, 1.2 ltr Chevy Beat which is square in Ritz territory. Beat's power and torque outputs are within hair's breadth of Ritz/Swift as well.