Maruti A-star test drive report
While the Nano stole the media glare, Maruti lured the people with the A-star’s revolutionary styling. Maruti Suzuki made India proud by debuting a concept car in an Indian auto show. Months have moved fast, Maruti Suzuki A-star made its International debut in India few days back. Again proud to be a Indian for riding a car before your european counterparts could feel it. But, is just ‘made in India’ tag and Maruti Staple is enough to sell a car when earning money is getting tougher? Can A-star take on the products like Hyundai i10? When maruti itself is having number of proven cars such as alto and WagonR, why should you opt for A-star? We check out the A-star and tell the answers
1) Maruti A-star : Built on an all new platform, A-star is the fifth world strategic model for Suzuki. after the successful Swift, Grand Vitara, SX4 and Splash. . Designed by the japanese engineers to suit the european taste, this A-star will replace the alto in european markets, but in Indian markets Maruti will continue to sell Alto along with the new A-star. Styling of the A-star is typically european – the low slung grille, ellipitical glasshouse, sweeping oversized headlamps and compact dimensions gives the car the necessary character. A-star also has a good road presence. Sure, it will appeal the fair sex and be ready to share the keys with ur honey. However the straight the C-pillar and odd looking taillamp cluster are sore points.
A-star styliing is not just to raise eyebrows but functional too. In the ‘A’-star, A stands for Aerodynamics the car pierces the wind like a bullet. A-star slippery drag co-efficient stoods at 0.30 (for Hyundai i10 Cd is 0.33). The functional aspect of this aerodynamic reflects in A-star performance and fuel efficiency which we will see below.
2) Maruti A-star : While Hyundai made inroads into the Maruti’s territory with the launch of i10, Maruti is betting big on A-star to regain its glory. To counter the i10 kappa’s punch, Maruti Suzuki has equipped the A-star with the advance KB series engine. Suzuki has invested over Rs1200 crores this and 3 years to make this petrol mill . The new-generation three-cylinder, light-weight aluminum K10B engine produces 67ps @ 6200 rpm and torque of 90nm @ 3500 rpm. The engine is paired with a five speed autobox.
3) Maruti A-star : The flat torque of this engine and short throw gearbox makes the A-star an ideal car to negotiate the stop-go city traffic conditions. The engine loves to be revved but at high gears it feels short of torque than the expected. The gearbox feels good unlike the one in the WagonR and Zen estilo. Response in highway is good, but, remember this is a 3 cylinder motor, it feels stressed as you move past three digit figure and runs out of gas after 140kmph. Also the engine is little noisy too. However we must agree that Maruti Suzuki has find somehow an engine delivering performance of a 4 cylinder motor and fuel efficiency of a 3 cylinder one. A-star returns 14kmpl in actual driving conditions
4) Maruti A-star : A-star’s compact dimensions -3.5m *1.6m*1.49m enhances its city driving character. However the claimed best in class turning radius of 4.5 meters seems little exaggerated. Steering response is good but it needs little effort to turn the wheel. But i believe its my personal opinion as i10 is my current companion to shuttle between home and office.
5) Maruti A-star: For the best compromise between handling characteristics and ride quality, Suzuki engineers have burnt midnight oil. A-star is suspended by MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. The l55/80 R13 tyres offers good grip and helps to keep planted even at high speeds.
6) Maruti A-star: Maruti is offering the A-star in 9 colours including the three new additions – Desert Brown, Paradise Blue and Healing green.
P.S:Our sincere thanks to Jayakannan, ABT Maruti (massales@abtlimited.com), Guindy, Chennai (9994404350).