Suzuki Alto in NZ next year

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AutoTrader NZ
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Published 3 September 2020

The stylish five-door Suzuki Alto hatchback goes into production in October and makes its world debut at the Paris international motor show the same month.

The new front wheel driven Alto is the fifth world strategy car from Suzuki, following the success of the Grand Vitara, Swift, SX4 and Splash models.

Suzuki expects annual production of the Alto to reach 960,000 by 2010.

The Alto is the smallest car yet from Suzuki and is said to be highly efficient with low running costs.

Its distinctive look has a European flair, with prominent headlights, deep grille, teardrop roofline, high metal-to-glass ratio and flared wheel arches.

“This fresh styling creates a sense of dynamism even when the car is stationary,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Limited. “We have every reason to be highly enthusiastic about the arrival of this new car which we expect to have here by mid 2009.”

Powering the Alto will be a Euro 5 compliant one-litre engine with CO2 emissions lower than 109 grams/kilometre.

The lightweight, aluminium K10B engine displaces 996cm3 and has three cylinders.

Alto was a pioneer of mini-cars in New Zealand, with the first generation version going on local sale in 1979.

The early models were built in many countries worldwide and were also assembled in New Zealand into the eighties. Alto played a significant role in establishing the brand locally as an automobile manufacturer.