Maruti Suzuki has aimed to make the Alto K10, an entry level small hatchback safer and compliant to the new Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 145 safety norms.
As for the safety, the Maruti Suzuki Alto comes with, 3-point seat-belts on the front and two 3-point seat-belts and one 2-point seat-belt for the rear passengers. The updated Alto comes with a drivers side airbag, ABS, EBD, a speed warning system, a seat-belt reminder and reverse parking sensors. These new safety features are in compliance with the latest safety norms.
Automotive Industry Standards, AIS 145 will be implemented with effect from 1st of July 2019 and this standard specifies the requirements applicable for the M1 category vehicles to have the following features:-
- Speed alert system to alert the driver in case of over-speed
- Driver and co-driver safety belt reminder
- Manual override for the central locking system
- Driver side airbag.
The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 comes with a 998cc, K10B engine with a maximum output of 68 PS @ 6000 RPM and 90 Nm of torque @ 3500 RPM. The small car is 3545mm in length and 1515mm in width and 1475mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2360mm. The Maruti Suzuki Alto weighs in at 740 kg (kerb) and has ventilated discs at the front and a drum brake setup on the rear. It can seat 5 people and has a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres. The suspension on the Maruti Suzuki Alto is a gas-filled McPherson strut and a 3-link rigid axle suspension on the rear and has 155/65 R13 tyres and steel rims.
The Maruti Suzuki Alto competes in the Indian market with the Datsun Redi-Go and Renault Kwid, both of which are updated with to new safety standards. The Alto after the additional safety kit will be slightly expensive.