Maruti Alto CNG charges in

© Maruti SuzukiUnassuming, but capable and economical - the Alto K10 in a nutshell

The new Alto's CNG system features i-GPI, or Intelligent Gas Port Injection, which is said to boost the car's economy (not that it isn't economical in its own right) to 32,26 km per kilogram of CNG. This means the Alto only needs 3,1 kg (4,14 m³) of CNG per 100 km, which is right next to none. The car is a bi-fuel one, so it also has a petrol mode. When in it, it's said to require as little as 4,15 l/100 km – a 15% improvement over the outgoing model. The CNG tank has a gross capacity of 60 l and the petrol one – 35 l.

And that's despite the fact that the new (K10 generation) Alto has a 998 cm³ engine, compared to its predecessor's 800 cm³ unit. It churns out 59 PS and 78 Nm in CNG mode and 68 PS/90 Nm in petrol mode, so either way it doesn't really overwhelm with performance, but that's hardly the point. Economy is the key here and there's eco-friendliness on top of it, too, as the Alto is BS IV (Bharat Stage emission standard 4) compliant. Sadly, it has performed abysmally in a crash test, gaining zero stars, but that's a different story.

Having won millions of customers we decided to upgrade an already successful car with a full model change that makes Alto K10 taller, wider and roomier. The wider range of the Alto K10 comes with 6 variants including a CNG option and will strengthen Maruti Suzuki’s entry level range and get incremental numbers.

Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO Maruti Suzuki

The Alto LXi (which is a four-seater vehicle) is priced in India at slightly over 380 thousand rupies, which is equivalent to approx. 6200 US dollars.