(Updated 19th November) To view the actual pictures, know the technical specifications, see the brochure and read the test drive of A-star visit http://www.vicky.in/blog/tag/a-star/
(updated 08th August )To read our latest report on Maruti Suzuki’s A-star and see real
pictures visit
The spurt in raise of i10 customers is already making Maruti’s men to spend sleepless nights. i10 has largely lured the WagonR customers and Alto’s one to some extent. To ride on the success wave Hyundai has launched the i10 with a new Kappa engine and the i10 kappa is clearly aimed at Maruti Suzuki’s Swift customers. More than the success of i10 what makes Maruti Suzuki deeply worried is the i10 has defied the common perception that i10 would cannibalise the sales of santro. Rather than cannibalising, i10 is poaching Maruti’s customers. Koreans have learned the art of selling different generation small cars without affecting each other. Maruti Suzuki desperately wanted a small car to take on the Hyundai’s latest showbiz i10. Infact Maruti Suzuki is said to be advancing the splash and A-star launch to counter the i10. We preview the Maruti new star the A-star. Other than the concept car and the interior picture sourced from team-bhp the we show you how the actual car will lookalike with our artistic impressions of A-star.
1) Maruti Suzuki A-star: Though Nano stolen the limelight at the Auto expo, A-star made its presence with its impressive styling. But we must admit the fact the concept cars are not just mirrors of actual car, it refelects the technological prowess of the designers and to invite attention from the customers.Intentionally or unintentionally the design of the A-star reminds the Hyundai’s i10 in most sense. The low slung grille, the flame shaped headlamps that extends from bonnet to the bumper and the prominent strip that houses the number plate has already become familiar to Indian customers through i10. However the vertical A-pillar and inverted C-pillar gives the A-star a bulged out apperance. We believe the A-star would be slightly more roomier. The large glass house at the rear will allow more light to come in. Gone are the boomerang headlamps as shown in the A-star concept, the 3D trapezoidal tail lamp cluster flows from the windshield to the bumper.
2) Maruti Suzuki A-star:
K-series engines for A-star – the twin attack
The ‘K’ has already become the important part of Indian Auto Industry. If Hyundai bets on kappa series engines, Maruti Suzuki bets on K-series engines. Similar to i10, Maruti Suzuki will be powered by two engines – an 1.0L and an 1.2L . These new K-series will eventually get under the hood of other hotcakes of Maruti soon. Zen Estilo, Wagon R and Swift will get this K-series before 2010. The new 1.0L, 3 cylinder 12-valve unit developing a maximum power output of 48kW (65hp) will power the A-star. This 1.0L mill would run longer distance for a litre. However the refinement of this engine with the inferior 12 valve set up is yet to be seen. This engine will be mated with a five speed transmission. If you are not satisfied with the performance figures, then believe me Maruti is not going to let you down. To counter the Hyundai 1.2L kappa engine, A-star will come with high performance 1.2L engine. This four-cylinder, 16-valve unit producing a maximum power of 63kW (86hp) wil power the A-star. Remember this engine will also power the upcoming splash and the swift. Both these engines would be a Euro V compliant powerplant. However these engines will emit anywherebetween 120g/km and 140g/km higher than the i10 kappa’s 119g/km. According to Suzuki, these engines ensure low friction and plentiful flat torque delivery at low and mid-range speeds help to ensure good driveability across the rev range while promoting fuel economy.
3) Maruti Suzuki A-star: The newly developed A-star platform is based on the much successful Suzuki’s alto platform. A-star shares the same 2360mm wheelbase of other cars built on Alto platform. A-star will be the first car to be produced solely in India.
4) Maruti Suzuki A-star: As evident from the picture the dashboard of the new A-star is lot more functional and practical. It has large air con vents at the centre, the control buttons are large and most importantly the instrument cluster occupies much small space. The instrument panel is nothing but a large speedometer with warning lamps arranged around it like a clock. This is achieved through the clip on revolution counter. Suzuki seems emotionally attached with the swift. Steering wheel of swift is shared by swift dzire,SX4 and even the Grand Vitara. Now the upcoming splash and the new A-star will also share the same wheel. Cost cutting measure seems little bit overtoned. The A-star also shares gear shift lever and few control buttons of the swift. The open type glovebox and grey interiors is in no way match to the i10’s inspiring interiors.
5) Maruti Suzuki A-star: The car would be high on features (atleast the top end variant). Body coloured bumpers, mirrors,roof mounted stop lamp and fog lamps. A-star would also come with ABS, Fabric lining for seats and door trims.
6) Maruti Suzuki A-star: A-star will be priced in the range of Rs3-4lakh and would be out in October (around Diwali). Though this new A-star will replace the Alto in European markets, A-star will co-exist with the Alto and Wagon R in India.
