In fact, we can say the new Suzuki Alto looks better and has more personality than any of the current lineup, with only the new Vitara making an exception. Yeah, you got us, we prefer to ride a Suzuki motorcycle and die in a eventual crash rather than getting in one of those fridges on wheels.
Except the new Alto of course. I mean look at it’s funky shapes. It looks like a squished Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X from the 70s. And who here can argue about the looks of the Nissan GT-R ancestor’s looks?
But returning to our little city car, the eight generation Alto just got introduced in Japan this month and it’s based on an all new platform which is 132 lb (60 kg) lighter than the outgoing version.
Design-wise it’s pointless to say anything that it borrows a lot of style cues from the first generation, making it one of the best looking kei cars around. And even so, smart packaging leaves enough room for four passengers. It won’t be room for stretching but at least you won’t have to cut off your legs to sit in the back.
Decent features
If looks and capacity aren’t enough for you, wait until you find out how good this is for daily runabouts. Thanks to Suzuki’s Green Technology for both body and engine, the 660 cc three-cylinder unit is said to offer a fuel consumption of 37 km/L (2.7 l/100 km or 87 mpg) according to the JC08 cycle in Japan. Damn, on paper that’s about the same the new Toyota Aqua hybrid offers.
The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual or a robotized version of that and pictures here show there’ll also be a sportier RS version on sale which should boast a turbocharger under the hood. Is it us or does it really look like a Nismo model?
The retro-styled interior also comes with features like electric windows (including rear ones, unlike other small city cars with pop-out windows), manual or even automatic air conditioning, cup holders, start-stop button and keyless entry, heated front seats, electric mirrors and a sound system with AUX plug.
To top the all, the retro Alto comes in either 2WD or 4WD configurations with prices starting at ¥847,800 ($7,000 and a steak or €5,700 and a nice sweater).
Google News