Suzuki Alto


Debut: 2015
Maker: Suzuki
Predecessor: Alto (2010)


 Published on 6 Jan 2017
All rights reserved. 




What a strange face! It looks rather like the Roswell alien, doesn’t it?

Just like its looks suggested, the 8th generation Suzuki Alto is not the usual Kei car. While most Kei cars look comically tall and narrow, usually standing in excess of 1600mm above the ground, the Alto's height is exactly the same as its 1475mm width. Even compared with its already modest predecessor, it is 45mm lower. The smaller frontal area and a less boxy shape cut aerodynamic drag significantly. Meanwhile, the car is lightened by a further 60 kg, which equals to 10 percent of its kerb weight! All these efforts were made in a bid to improve fuel economy, which is a class-leading 37km per liter according to JC08 standard. In fact, this is the most frugal petrol-powered car in Japan. Among all Kei cars, only Daihatsu Mira e:S comes closest to its philosophy, yet the Suzuki goes one step further in every way.





Born in 1979, Alto is the longest running nameplate in the world of Kei cars. However, it was rarely admired, because its market positioning has always been at the lower end. In other words, it has always been unsophisticated and cheap. The latest Alto does not break away from this tradition. In fact, in the chase for weight reduction it might be even leaner than ever. For example, its seats are thin and have headrests integrated, so you cannot adjust the headrests. The rear bench does not slide or split, so you have to sacrifice rear passengers for luggage. The door panels are molded in one piece and lack any kind of soft trimming. All in all, the Alto is designed to serve the basic needs and no more.

However, this does not stop it from being funky. The Roswell face might not be your cup of tea, but it does make the car stand out – I think young people might love it. The black clamshell tailgate recalls my fond memory of Lancia Y10. The color decoration panel on the dashboard lifts the ambience and relieves your regret for not having an infotainment system. If there is the least painful way to live with a cheap car, then this is it.





The Alto is incredibly light. The base model with non-VVT engine and manual gearbox weighs only 610 kg, while the best selling CVT model tips the scale at 650 kg. That’s an astonishing 155 kg lighter than a Smart Fortwo, and considerably lighter than any other Kei cars as well. Suzuki said it achieves this by using a lot of high- and ultra-high strength steel to construct its monocoque body. This also increases its rigidity by 30 percent. Compared with last generation, its wheelbase has been stretched by 35mm to a remarkable 2460mm, no wonder the rear seat offers enough legroom for adults.

Thanks to the extended wheelbase and stiffer chassis, the new car’s ride quality and directional stability are much improved. The lower center of gravity reduces body roll in corner significantly, especially on cars fitted with front anti-roll bar (there was none previously). Pulling just 650 kg of weight, the 52hp 3-cylinder DVVT engine and CVT combo feels brisk enough. Like other Suzukis, it is bundled with a lot of fuel saving technologies, such as automatic stop-start and a mild hybrid system using integrated starter-generator.





If the 52hp engine is not enough, you may opt for the hotter Turbo S. Its exterior enhancement and go-faster decals remind me another Italian small car, Uno Turbo i.e. The turbocharged engine produces 64hp which is also the limit of K-cars, but it offers strong mid-range torque and again the car is very light at 670kg. Roadholding and body control are improved by stiffer suspension and 15-inch alloys wearing wider and grippier Bridgestone RE050A rubbers. The body shell is strengthened with front tower bar and extra spot welds. However, if you expect hot hatch handling, you will be disappointed, because the car is troubled by many flaws: slow and light steering, jerky gearshift from the 5-speed automated manual, stiff ride, insufficient front-end grip hence understeer, and the inside front wheel tends to spin in tight corners.

Some of these problems could be rectified by the range-topping Alto Works, which is the Turbo RS enhanced with Recaro seats, a retuned engine with slightly more torque, KYB performance shocks and a 5-speed manual gearbox. However, the Alto is still more likeable in basic form.

Verdict:
Specifications





Year
Layout
Chassis
Body
Length / width / height
Wheelbase
Engine
Capacity
Valve gears
Induction
Other engine features
Max power
Max torque
Transmission

Suspension layout

Suspension features
Tires
Kerb weight
Top speed
0-60 mph (sec)
0-100 mph (sec)
Alto (M)
2015
Front-engined, FWD
Steel monocoque
Mainly steel
3395 / 1475 / 1475 mm
2460 mm
Inline-3
658 cc
DOHC 12 valves
-
-
49 hp
43 lbft
5-speed manual

F: strut
R: torsion-beam
-
145/80SR13
610 kg
-
-
-
Alto (CVT)
2015
Front-engined, FWD
Steel monocoque
Mainly steel
3395 / 1475 / 1475 mm
2460 mm
Inline-3
658 cc
DOHC 12 valves, DVVT
-
Mild hybrid motor-generator
52 hp
46 lbft
CVT

F: strut
R: torsion-beam
-
145/80SR13
650 kg
-
-
-
Alto Turbo RS
(Alto Works)
2015 (2016)
Front-engined, FWD
Steel monocoque
Mainly steel
3395 / 1475 / 1500 mm
2460 mm
Inline-3
658 cc
DOHC 12 valves, VVT
Turbo
-
64 hp
72 lbft (74 lbft)
5-speed automated manual
(5-speed manual)
F: strut
R: torsion-beam
-
165/55VR15
670 kg
-
-
-




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